Multiply length × width × depth in feet, divide by 27 for cubic yards, then multiply by 1.35 to get tons of pea gravel. A 12 × 12 ft patio at 2 inches deep needs about 0.89 cubic yards — roughly 1.2 tons.
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Pea Gravel Calculator Guide
Pea gravel — small, rounded, naturally smoothed stones about the size of a pea (3/8 inch) — is the friendliest surface in the gravel family: comfortable underfoot, barefoot-safe around pools, soft enough for play areas, and available in warm mixed colors. This calculator converts your area into cubic yards, tons, and bags at pea gravel’s density of 1.35 tons per cubic yard.
Its rounded shape is also its weakness: pea gravel flows like a liquid in slow motion. Every successful pea gravel project is really an exercise in containment — firm edging, sensible depth, and a base that stops it sinking.
How Much Pea Gravel Do I Need?
| Project | Depth | One ton covers |
|---|---|---|
| Garden bed topping | 2 in | ≈ 110 sq ft |
| Path or walkway | 2–2.5 in | ≈ 90–110 sq ft |
| Patio surface | 2 in over base | ≈ 110 sq ft |
| Playground fall zone | 9–12 in | ≈ 18–24 sq ft |
The playground row surprises people: safety surfacing standards call for 9 inches of maintained depth to cushion falls, which turns a small play area into a multi-ton order. Budget accordingly before promising anyone a pea gravel playground.
Keeping Pea Gravel in Its Place
- Stay shallow on walkways. Two inches walks firm; four inches feels like dry beach sand.
- Edge everything. Steel or aluminum edging disappears visually and holds the line; timber and paver borders work too.
- Base it for traffic. Paths and patios last far longer over 2 inches of compacted crusher run with fabric between the layers.
- Skip it on slopes. Above about a 5% grade, rounded stone migrates downhill no matter what you do — use angular gravel there instead.
Prefer the angular look, or need something that compacts? Compare tonnage with the gravel calculator or crushed stone calculator — same dimensions, one click, different density.
Frequently Asked Questions
How deep should pea gravel be?
Lay pea gravel 2 inches deep for patios and paths over a compacted base, and 9–12 inches deep for playground fall zones. Deeper than about 3 inches on walkways makes the surface feel like walking on dry beach sand.
How much does a yard of pea gravel weigh?
Pea gravel weighs about 1.35 US tons (2,700 lb) per cubic yard. Its small rounded stones pack slightly looser than angular crushed stone, which is why it runs a little lighter per yard.
Does pea gravel need edging?
Yes. Because the stones are small and round, pea gravel migrates constantly. Solid edging — steel, aluminum, timber, or pavers — is what keeps a pea gravel surface where you put it.
How many bags of pea gravel equal a ton?
Forty 50 lb bags make one ton. A typical 0.5 cubic foot bag covers about 3 square feet at 2 inches deep, so bulk delivery becomes more economical for anything larger than a small path.