Pea Gravel Calculator
Pea gravel is sold by the ton for bulk delivery or by the bag for small areas. Enter your path, patio or playground dimensions and depth to get both.
Measure straight across the widest point.
Adjust depth below if needed.
Covers spillage and compaction. 5–10% is normal.
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Bags or bulk delivery?
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Coverage & weight
Material profile
A 100 sq ft path or patio at 2″ deep needs about 0.92 tons of standard 3/8″ pea gravel (0.68 cubic yards) including a 10% waste allowance — playground surfacing at the recommended 6″ depth needs roughly 3 times as much per square foot.
Pea gravel needed for common project sizes
Cubic yards and tons for standard 3/8″ pea gravel at typical path, patio and playground depths.
| Project | Depth | Cubic yards | Tons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Narrow garden path, 3×20 ft | 2″ | 0.37 | 0.50 |
| Walkway, 25×4 ft | 2″ | 0.62 | 0.83 |
| Small patio, 12×12 ft | 2″ | 0.89 | 1.20 |
| Medium patio, 15×20 ft | 2″ | 1.85 | 2.50 |
| Playground surfacing, 20×20 ft | 6″ | 7.41 | 10.00 |
| Large playground, 30×30 ft | 6″ | 16.67 | 22.50 |
Pea gravel types, density and typical use
| Type | Weight per yd³ | Best for | Drainage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard 3/8″ pea gravel | 2,700 lb | Paths, patios, playgrounds | Good |
| Large 5/8″ pea gravel | 2,750 lb | Driveways, drainage beds | Good |
| Mexican beach pebble | 2,800 lb | Decorative landscaping | Good |
Figures are for dry material. Wet or freshly delivered material can weigh noticeably more.
How to calculate pea gravel you need
- Measure your area. Multiply length × width for a rectangular path or patio, or use the circle option for round beds and tree rings.
- Set your depth. Use 2″ for paths and patios, 6″ minimum for playground fall-zone surfacing, or a custom depth for edging or top-dressing.
- Choose your gravel size. Standard 3/8″ pea gravel suits paths and patios; larger 5/8″ handles driveways and drainage beds; Mexican beach pebble is a decorative accent size.
- Calculate volume and weight. Convert depth to feet, multiply by area, divide by 27 for cubic yards, then multiply by density and divide by 2,000 for tons.
- Add waste and order. Add 10% for spillage and settling, then order in bags for small areas or by the ton for anything past about a cubic yard.
Worked example
A 25×4 ft walkway (100 sq ft) at 2″ deep, filled with standard 3/8″ pea gravel at 2,700 lb/yd³, with a 10% waste allowance.
- Path area25 × 4 = 100 sq ft
- Depth in feet2 ÷ 12 = 0.167 ft
- Raw volume100 × 0.167 ÷ 27 = 0.617 cubic yards
- MaterialStandard 3/8″ pea gravel, 2,700 lb/yd³
- Weight0.617 × 2,700 ÷ 2,000 = 0.83 tons
- With 10% waste0.83 × 1.10 = 0.92 tons (0.68 cubic yards)
- Estimated cost0.92 tons × $55 + $75 delivery ≈ $126
Recommended depth by project
| Project | Recommended depth | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Project type | Depth | Notes |
| Garden path or stepping-stone infill | 2″ | Set over landscape fabric to slow weed growth and migration into soil. |
| Patio or seating area | 2″ | Use edging to keep loose stone from spreading onto lawn areas. |
| Driveway surface | 3″–4″ | Use larger 5/8″ pea gravel here; smaller sizes migrate and rut under tires. |
| Drainage bed or dry creek bed | 3″–4″ | Larger 5/8″ or river rock size resists washout better than 3/8″ gravel. |
| Playground / fall-zone surfacing | 6″ minimum | CPSC guidance calls for at least 6″ of loose fill under most home play equipment, more under higher structures. |
Bags or bulk delivery?
A 0.5 cu ft bag covers about 3 sq ft at a 2″ depth, so bags work fine for a small path border or refresh but get expensive fast for a larger area. Bagged gravel costs roughly $220 per ton equivalent versus about $55 per ton plus a $75 flat delivery fee in bulk — the two cross over around 18 bags (roughly half a ton), so anything larger is cheaper delivered in bulk.
- Small border or tree ring (under 0.25 tons, ~10 bags)Bags are the practical choice here.
- Path or small patio (0.25–1 ton, 10–40 bags)Run the numbers — bulk usually wins once you pass about 18 bags.
- Patio, driveway or playground (1+ ton)Always order bulk by the ton — playground surfacing especially adds up fast at 6″ deep.
Common mistakes
- Skipping edging or bordersLoose pea gravel migrates onto lawns and walkways without a hard edge (steel, plastic or paver border) to contain it.
- Using pea gravel for driveways without a proper baseSmall round stone alone ruts and displaces under vehicle weight — it needs a compacted base layer underneath, or a larger angular stone on top.
- Skimping on playground fall-zone depth6″ is a minimum for most home play equipment under CPSC guidance — taller structures need more loose-fill depth, and gravel compacts over time and needs topping off.
- Skipping landscape fabric under pathsWithout a fabric barrier, pea gravel sinks into bare soil over a season or two and needs frequent replenishing.
- Choosing pea gravel over clay or poorly draining soilWithout a drainage path underneath, water pools under the stone and the sub-base turns muddy despite the gravel surface looking dry.
- Underestimating settling and replenishmentLoose pea gravel compacts and migrates with foot traffic and rain — budget for periodic top-offs, especially in high-traffic areas and playgrounds.
What this calculator assumes
Adjust your result if your project differs from these.
- Density figures are for dry, loose-settled pea gravel — wet stone weighs more per yard.
- Depth is the finished, spread depth, not accounting for future compaction or settling.
- 10% waste covers spillage, edging loss and depth variance across the area.
- Bag estimates assume 0.5 cu ft bags; check your supplier’s actual bag size.
- Playground depth follows general CPSC-style guidance; check your specific equipment’s fall-height rating.
- Edging/borders are assumed in place to contain the stone; unedged areas need extra material for spread loss.
Common questions
How deep should pea gravel be for a patio?
2″ is standard for a walkable patio or path surface over a compacted sub-base.
How deep does pea gravel need to be for a playground?
At least 6″ of loose fill for most home play equipment, per common CPSC-style guidance — taller equipment needs more depth.
Does pea gravel need edging?
Yes, for any defined area. Steel, plastic, paver or timber edging keeps loose stone from spreading into lawns and beds.
Can pea gravel be used for a driveway?
Yes, but it needs a compacted base underneath and periodic raking — loose pea gravel alone ruts under vehicle weight over time.
Should I put landscape fabric under pea gravel?
Generally yes, for paths and patios — it slows weed growth and keeps the stone from sinking into bare soil.
How much does a ton of pea gravel cover?
At 2″ deep, one ton covers about 120 sq ft. At 6″ deep for playground surfacing, one ton covers about 40 sq ft.
What size pea gravel is best for a play area?
Standard 3/8″ rounded pea gravel is common for cushioning and comfort underfoot, though check your equipment manufacturer’s fall-height guidance for exact depth.
Is pea gravel comfortable to walk on barefoot?
It’s generally more comfortable than crushed, angular stone since it’s smooth and rounded, though preferences vary — some people find loose gravel uneven underfoot.
How often do I need to top off pea gravel?
Expect to add material every 1–3 years for high-traffic paths or playgrounds, and less often for lightly used decorative beds.
What's the difference between pea gravel and crushed stone for a path?
Pea gravel is smooth, rounded and shifts more underfoot; crushed stone is angular and locks together for a firmer, more stable walking surface.
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Project
| Shape | — |
| Dimensions | — |
| Depth | — |
| Area | — |
| Material | — |
| Waste allowance | — |
Volume & weight (incl. waste)
| Cubic yards | — |
| Cubic feet | — |
| Weight | — |
| Tons (rounded up) | — |
Shopping list
| Bulk order | — |
| Bagged alternative (0.5 cu ft) | — |
| Estimated cost | — |
Notes
Estimate generated by materialcalculate.com. Assumes uniform depth and standard dry material densities. Confirm quantities with your supplier before ordering.