Pea Gravel Calculator
Pea gravel is a small, rounded decorative stone for paths, patios, and ground cover. Enter the area and depth for the cubic yards and tons to order.
Pea gravel
1.6tons
- Pea gravel
- 1.23 cu yd
- Volume
- 33 cu ft
How it’s calculated
Volume = length × width × (depth ÷ 12) cubic feet, ÷ 27 for cubic yards. Pea gravel is sold by the ton, so tons = cubic yards × density (≈1.25–1.4 ton/cu yd — editable, confirm with your supplier).
Worked example
A 20 × 10 ft area (200 sq ft), 2 in deep, at 1.3 ton/cu yd: 200 × 2 ÷ 12 = 33.3 cu ft = 1.23 cu yd × 1.3 ≈ 1.60 tons.
FAQs
- How deep should pea gravel be?
- About 2–3 inches for a decorative layer or a walkway. Going much deeper doesn't help — because the stones are smooth and round, a thick layer just shifts and scatters underfoot. An edging (steel, stone, or timber) keeps it from migrating out of the area.
- Pea gravel or crushed stone?
- Pea gravel is smooth and rounded — comfortable underfoot and decorative, but it doesn't lock together or compact, so it's not a load-bearing base. Crushed stone is angular and compacts into a firm, stable base for pavers and driveways. For a paver or driveway base, use the crushed stone (or paver base) calculator instead.
- Should I put fabric under it?
- Usually yes — a landscape fabric under pea gravel blocks weeds and keeps the stones from working down into the soil, which makes the layer last and stay clean. On a path, many installers also set a firmer base below the decorative pea gravel.
Sources
- Volume = L × W × (depth ÷ 12) ÷ 27 (geometry). Tons = cu yd × density; density (~1.25–1.4 ton/cu yd) is an editable, supplier-confirmed material property — not baked in.