What to measure
How to use the pea gravel calculator
Choose a rectangle or circle, enter the size and depth. Add your supplier’s price per ton to compare with bags.
The formula
- Cubic yards = length × width × depth (all in feet) ÷ 27
- Tons = cubic yards × 1.4
- Bags = cubic feet ÷ 0.5
Worked example: 10 × 10 ft patio, 3 in deep
- 10 × 10 × (3 ÷ 12) = 25 cu ft = 0.93 cubic yards
- 0.93 × 1.4 = 1.3 tons
- Or 25 ÷ 0.5 = 50 bags
Pea gravel rolls underfoot. Edge it with pavers, steel or timber, and lay landscape fabric first to keep it out of the soil.
Pea gravel for common projects
All at 3 inches deep unless noted.
| Project | Cubic yards | Tons | 0.5 cu ft bags |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 × 20 ft path, 2 in | 0.37 | 0.52 | 20 |
| 4 × 25 ft path | 0.93 | 1.3 | 50 |
| 10 × 10 ft patio | 0.93 | 1.3 | 50 |
| 12 × 12 ft patio | 1.33 | 1.87 | 72 |
| 10 × 20 ft patio | 1.85 | 2.59 | 100 |
| 16 ft round fire pit area | 1.86 | 2.61 | 101 |
| 12 × 12 ft play area, 9 in | 4 | 5.6 | 216 |
Common mistakes
- Spreading it too thin. Pea gravel is round and moves underfoot, so a thin layer shows bare patches quickly. Stick to the depths in the FAQ above.
- No edging. Without a solid border the stones migrate into the lawn and beds, and the layer gets thinner every season.
- Skipping the fabric. Without landscape fabric the gravel works down into the soil and weeds come up through it.
- Buying bags for a big area. Past about half a yard, bags cost more and take a lot of carrying. Compare the bag count with a bulk price per ton.
Frequently asked questions
How deep should pea gravel be?
2–3 inches for paths and patios, 3 inches over landscape fabric for weed control, and 9–12 inches under play equipment for fall protection.
How much does a yard of pea gravel weigh?
About 1.4 tons (2,800 lb) per cubic yard. Damp gravel weighs a little more.
How many bags of pea gravel are in a yard?
54 bags of 0.5 cu ft. Above about half a yard, bulk delivery is usually cheaper than bags.
How much area does a ton of pea gravel cover?
About 75 sq ft at 3 inches deep, or 115 sq ft at 2 inches (1 ton ÷ 1.4 = 0.71 cubic yards).
How much pea gravel do I need for a 10 × 20 patio?
At 3 inches deep, 50 cu ft, which is 1.85 cubic yards, about 2.59 tons or 100 bags of 0.5 cu ft.
How much pea gravel for a play area?
A 12 × 12 ft play area filled 9 inches deep takes 4 cubic yards (about 5.6 tons); at 12 inches it takes 5.33 cubic yards (about 7.47 tons). At those volumes bulk delivery beats bags, since 9 inches would be 216 bags.
How much pea gravel for a dog run?
A 4 × 20 ft run at 3 inches needs 20 cu ft, 0.74 cubic yards or 40 bags. A 10 × 30 ft run at the same depth needs 2.78 cubic yards, about 3.89 tons.
How much pea gravel for a round fire pit area?
Choose Circle and enter the diameter of the whole gravel area. A 16 ft circle 3 inches deep takes 1.86 cubic yards, about 2.61 tons or 101 bags of 0.5 cu ft.
Sources
Formulas and defaults last reviewed October 30, 2026. How we check our math.