Pea gravel calculator
Pea gravel — the smooth, rounded 3/8-inch stone — spreads differently from crushed rock. Enter your area and depth for yards, tons and bag counts.
Result
Pea gravel needed
How much pea gravel do I need?
Formula
ft³ = area (ft²) × depth (in) ÷ 12 · yd³ = ft³ ÷ 27 · tons ≈ yd³ × 1.35
Example: a 16 ft × 10 ft patio seating area at 2 inches: 160 × 2/12 = 26.7 ft³ = 0.99 yd³ ≈ 1.34 tons, or 54 fifty-pound bags.
Where pea gravel works (and where it doesn't)
- Great: garden paths, seating areas, fire pit zones, around air conditioners, chicken runs, dog potty areas (rounded stones are gentle on paws).
- Avoid for: driveways (round stones roll and rut — use crushed crusher run), wheelchair access, steep slopes.
- Edging is mandatory: without steel/brick edging, pea gravel migrates into lawns within a season.
Bag counts quick table
| Depth | 100 ft² needs | 50 lb bags | Approx. tons |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 in | 16.7 ft³ (0.62 yd³) | 34 | 0.84 |
| 3 in | 25 ft³ (0.93 yd³) | 50 | 1.25 |
| 4 in | 33.3 ft³ (1.23 yd³) | 67 | 1.67 |
Frequently asked questions
How much pea gravel for a 10×10 patio?
100 ft² at 2 inches = 16.7 ft³ = 0.62 yd³ ≈ 0.84 tons (34 bags). Add edging and fabric under it.
Is 2 inches of pea gravel enough?
For foot paths over compacted soil, yes. For seating areas with furniture, 3 inches keeps stones from kicking down to bare spot; go 2–3 in over a compacted base.
How many bags of pea gravel do I need?
Each 0.5 ft³ bag covers about 3.6 ft² at 2 inches. Divide your area's cubic feet by 0.5 — the calculator rounds up for you.
What's the difference between pea gravel and #57 stone?
Pea gravel is rounded and rolls underfoot (walkways, play areas); #57 is angular crushed stone that locks together (driveways, drainage, bases).
Does pea gravel drain well?
Very well — rounded stones leave large voids. That also means weeds grow, so use non-woven landscape fabric and expect occasional topping-up.