YardHow to use the pea gravel calculator
Calculate pea gravel
One cubic yard of pea gravel weighs about 1.35 tons (2,700 lb) and covers roughly 108 sq ft at 3 inches deep. Bagged pea gravel is usually sold in 0.5 cu ft bags. Estimates only - confirm quantities with your supplier.
- Choose the shape of your area: rectangle, circle or triangle.
- Enter the length and width (or diameter) in feet.
- Enter the depth in inches. Two to three inches suits most walkways and patios; go deeper, around 4 inches, for a dog run or play area.
- Read off the cubic yards, weight in tons and number of bags, then adjust the extra allowance if the ground is uneven.
How much area does a cubic yard of pea gravel cover?
| Depth | Coverage per cubic yard |
|---|---|
| 1 in | 324 sq ft |
| 2 in | 162 sq ft |
| 3 in | 108 sq ft |
| 4 in | 81 sq ft |
| 6 in | 54 sq ft |
Pea gravel is the small, smooth, rounded stone about the size of a pea. Because the stones are round they shift and roll a little as you walk, which is part of their feel, but it also means depth matters: too thin and the base shows through, too deep and it feels like walking on a beach.
Where pea gravel works, and where it does not
Pea gravel shines on walkways, patios, garden paths, dog runs, play areas and around fire pits, and it drains freely so it is popular in French drains and dry creek beds. It is a poor choice for driveways and parking areas, because the round stones roll under tyres and migrate into the lawn. For a driveway, angular crushed stone locks together and stays put. Pea gravel also needs a firm edge, steel, stone or timber edging, or it will slowly spread into beds and grass.
Pea gravel vs crushed stone
| Pea gravel | Crushed stone | |
|---|---|---|
| Shape | Round and smooth | Angular with sharp edges |
| Underfoot | Soft, shifts a little | Firm, locks together |
| Best for | Paths, patios, dog runs, drainage | Driveways, bases, high-traffic areas |
| Weight per cubic yard | About 1.35 tons | About 1.4 tons |
Tips before you order
- Lay landscape fabric under pea gravel on paths and patios to stop it mixing into the soil, but never where it will be driven on.
- Order a little extra: pea gravel settles into the base in the first few weeks and a top-up bag or two keeps the depth even.
- Rinse bagged pea gravel before using it in a visible area; it often arrives dusty and the true colour shows once washed.
- For a fire pit area, keep the depth at 3 to 4 inches so chairs sit steady.