Pea Gravel Calculator

A 12 × 12 ft area at 3 inches deep needs about 1.33 cubic yards of pea gravel, roughly 1.87 tons or 72 bags of 0.5 cu ft. Use 2–3 inches for paths, 3–4 inches for patios. Enter your dimensions below for an exact amount.

Area & depth

Depth preset

Path 2–3″, patio 3–4″, playground 9–12″.

Shape

Length

Width

Depth (in)

Waste / extra (%)

A small buffer for settling and spillage.

Price (optional)

Price per ton

$/ton

Pea gravel needed

1.44cu yd

≈ 2.02 tons (incl. 8% waste).

Weight

2.02 tons

Bags (0.5 cu ft)

Cubic feet

38.9 cu ft

Show the math

area = 144 sq ft

cubic yards = 1.33 → +8% = 1.44 cu yd

tons = 1.44 × 1.4 = 2.02

How to use this calculator

Choose the shape and enter your area dimensions.
Set the depth — use a preset for a path, patio or playground.
Add 5–10% waste for raking and settling.
Optionally enter a price per ton or per yard.
Read cubic yards, tons and the number of bags.

Formula

volume (cu ft) = area (sq ft) × depth (ft)
cubic yards = cu ft ÷ 27
tons = cubic yards × 1.4

Worked example

A 12 × 12 ft patio, 3 inches deep:

area = 144 sq ft, depth = 0.25 ft

volume = 144 × 0.25 = 36 cu ft

cubic yards = 36 ÷ 27 = 1.33 cu yd ≈ 1.87 tons

Pea gravel calculator diagram of a patio area with gravel depth labelled

Reference tables

Pea gravel coverage by depth (1 cubic yard)

Depth	Area covered
2"	162 sq ft
3"	108 sq ft
4"	81 sq ft

One cubic yard ≈ 54 bags of 0.5 cu ft (about 50 lb each).

Tips & buying advice

Lay landscape fabric underneath to stop gravel sinking into the soil and to limit weeds.
Use 2–3 inches for walkways, 3–4 inches for patios, and a deeper border edge to keep gravel contained.
Pea gravel shifts underfoot; for driveways a crushed, angular stone compacts better.
Order about 10% extra — pea gravel spreads and settles more than angular stone.

Frequently asked questions

How much area does a ton of pea gravel cover?

About 100 sq ft at 2 inches deep, or roughly 65–70 sq ft at 3 inches, since a ton is about 0.7 cubic yards. Coverage drops as depth increases.

How deep should pea gravel be for a patio?

Three to four inches over a compacted base and landscape fabric gives a stable patio surface. Shallower layers shift and show the ground underneath; deeper layers feel loose to walk on.

Is pea gravel or crushed stone better for a driveway?

Crushed, angular stone is better for driveways because its edges lock together and resist rutting. Smooth, round pea gravel migrates under tires and is better suited to patios and paths.

How many bags of pea gravel are in a yard?

About 54 bags of 0.5 cubic feet make one cubic yard (27 ÷ 0.5). At roughly 50 lb per bag that is over 2,600 lb, so bulk delivery is usually cheaper above a yard.

Do I need landscape fabric under pea gravel?

It is strongly recommended. Fabric separates the gravel from the soil so stones do not sink, keeps the layer cleaner, and reduces weeds. Overlap seams and pin the edges.

Built and maintained by Sikander Mushtaq. Formulas checked against landscape-supply gravel density, CPSC playground surfacing guidance. See our methodology and sources, or learn about YardageMath.

Last updated: October 7, 2026

Estimates only. Confirm quantities with your supplier or contractor. Read the full disclaimer.