2-3" typical
Area 1
Area: 100.0 sq ft
Estimated Total Cost (Bulk)
$93 - $286
0.93 cubic yards of 3/8" pea gravel
Material Quantities
Cost Breakdown (Bulk)
Bag Price Comparison
Bulk saves you $169-$322
12,800+ estimates calculated this month
Last updated: 2026-03-12
How to Calculate Pea Gravel for Any Project
Figuring pea gravel quantities comes down to three numbers: area in square feet, depth in inches, and the conversion to cubic yards. Multiply length times width for your area, multiply that by depth (converted to feet), then divide by 27 to get cubic yards. One cubic yard of pea gravel weighs about 1.4 tons and covers roughly 108 square feet at 3 inches deep.
The calculator above handles all the math, including circular areas for fire pit surrounds, multiple zones, bag-versus-bulk cost comparisons, and landscape fabric estimates. Enter your dimensions and it gives you cubic yards, tons, bag count, and a cost range based on 2026 pricing.
Inputs you'll need
- Area dimensions - Length and width in feet (or diameter for circular areas)
- Desired depth - Typically 2-3 inches for patios and walkways, 3-4 inches for dog runs, 6-9 inches for playgrounds
- Gravel size - 3/8", 1/2", or 3/4" (smaller sizes pack tighter and cost the same)
- Delivery preference - Bulk delivery ($50-$200) or bagged pickup from a home improvement store
Pea Gravel Coverage by Depth (2026)
| Depth | Coverage per CY | Bags per 100 sq ft | Cost per 100 sq ft (bulk) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 inches | 162 sq ft | 34 bags | $19-$37 |
| 3 inches | 108 sq ft | 50 bags | $28-$56 |
| 4 inches | 81 sq ft | 67 bags | $37-$74 |
| 6 inches | 54 sq ft | 100 bags | $56-$111 |
Worked examples
Example A: 10x12 patio at 3 inches deep
- Area: 10 x 12 = 120 sq ft
- Volume: 120 x (3/12) / 27 = 1.11 cubic yards
- Weight: 1.11 x 1.4 = 1.56 tons
- Cost (bulk): $33-$67 material + $50-$200 delivery
- Cost (bags): 60 bags x $4.50-$7.00 = $270-$420
Example B: 8-foot diameter fire pit surround at 3 inches
- Area: pi x 4^2 = 50.3 sq ft
- Volume: 50.3 x 0.25 / 27 = 0.47 cubic yards
- Bags: 26 bags (0.5 cu ft each)
- Cost (bags): $117-$182 - bagged makes sense at this size
Example C: 4x30 walkway at 2 inches deep
- Area: 4 x 30 = 120 sq ft
- Volume: 120 x (2/12) / 27 = 0.74 cubic yards
- Cost (bulk): $22-$44 material
- With fabric: add $18-$36 for landscape fabric
Need to figure other materials? Try our gravel calculator for crushed stone driveways, the sand calculator for leveling base layers, or the mulch calculator for garden beds.
Pro tips from the field
- Order 10% extra. Pea gravel settles after installation and you will lose some during spreading. Ordering a little extra now is cheaper than paying a second delivery fee later.
- Compact your base first. Grade the soil, lay 2-3 inches of crusher run or road base, compact it with a plate compactor, then install landscape fabric before adding pea gravel. Skipping this step means your gravel sinks into soft ground within a year.
- Edge before you fill. Install all your edging before pouring gravel. Trying to set edging after the gravel is in place is a nightmare - stones get everywhere and the edging will not sit level.
- Bulk delivery needs access. Most dump trucks need at least 10 feet of width and overhead clearance. Measure your gate or side-yard access before ordering. If the truck cannot get close, you will be wheelbarrowing from the street.
- Wet it down after spreading. Lightly spray the pea gravel with a hose after raking it level. This helps the stones settle into place faster and reveals any low spots that need more material.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Skipping landscape fabric. Without fabric, pea gravel sinks into soil and weeds push through within one season. This is the most common callback on gravel projects.
- Going too deep on walkways. More than 3 inches of pea gravel on a walkway makes it hard to walk on - the stones shift and roll. Stick to 2 inches over a compacted base.
- Using pea gravel for drainage. Pea gravel is decorative, not structural. For French drains or drainage trenches, use washed drain rock (3/4" to 1.5" angular stone) that will not clog pipe perforations.
- Not accounting for edging. Pea gravel without edging migrates into your lawn, garden, and everywhere else. Budget for steel or aluminum edging on every edge.
- Buying bags for large projects. Bags cost 4-8x more than bulk per cubic yard. Any project over 1 cubic yard should go bulk delivery.
How to Use This Calculator
Choose your application
Select what the pea gravel is for - patio, walkway, dog run, fire pit surround, or playground. The calculator auto-sets the recommended depth for each use.
Pick your gravel size
Choose between 3/8-inch (most common for patios and walkways), 1/2-inch, or 3/4-inch pea gravel. Smaller sizes pack tighter and feel smoother underfoot.
Enter your area dimensions
Input length and width for rectangular areas, or diameter for circular areas like fire pit surrounds. Add multiple areas to calculate the total for your whole project.
Review quantities and costs
See cubic yards, tons, and bag counts with cost estimates for both bulk and bagged pea gravel. The calculator includes optional landscape fabric and delivery pricing.
Pea Gravel Calculation Formulas
Cubic Yards = (Length x Width x Depth in feet) / 27
Tons = Cubic Yards x 1.4
Bags (0.5 cu ft) = Cubic Feet / 0.5
Circle Area = pi x (Diameter / 2)^2Where:
- Length, Width
- = Area dimensions in feet
- Depth
- = Gravel depth in inches (divide by 12 to convert to feet)
- 27
- = Cubic feet per cubic yard (3 x 3 x 3)
- 1.4
- = Tons per cubic yard for pea gravel (approx. 2,800 lbs/cy)
- 0.5
- = Cubic feet per standard pea gravel bag
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much pea gravel do I need per square foot?
At a 2-inch depth, you need about 0.006 cubic yards per square foot (roughly 1 bag per 3 sq ft). At 3 inches deep, that jumps to about 0.009 cubic yards per square foot. For a 100 sq ft patio at 3 inches, you would need approximately 0.93 cubic yards or about 56 bags of 0.5 cu ft pea gravel.
How much does pea gravel cost in 2026?
Pea gravel costs $30-$60 per cubic yard for bulk delivery, or $4.50-$7.00 per 0.5 cu ft bag at home improvement stores. Bulk is significantly cheaper for projects over 1 cubic yard. Add $50-$200 for delivery depending on distance and quantity. A typical 200 sq ft patio at 3 inches deep runs $55-$135 in material before delivery.
How deep should pea gravel be for a patio?
For patios, lay pea gravel 2-3 inches deep over compacted base material and landscape fabric. Too thin and foot traffic will expose the fabric. Too deep and walking becomes difficult because the stones shift underfoot. For walkways, 2 inches is plenty. For dog runs, go 3-4 inches to handle digging. Playgrounds require 6-9 inches to meet fall safety standards.
How many bags of pea gravel are in a cubic yard?
A cubic yard contains 27 cubic feet. Standard pea gravel bags from Home Depot or Lowes are 0.5 cu ft, so you need 54 bags per cubic yard. At $4.50-$7.00 per bag, that is $243-$378 per cubic yard in bags versus $30-$60 per cubic yard in bulk. For anything over about 10 square feet at 3 inches, bulk delivery saves serious money.
What size pea gravel is best for walkways?
3/8-inch pea gravel is the best size for walkways. The smaller stones pack together more tightly, creating a more stable surface that is easier to walk on. Larger 3/4-inch pea gravel shifts more underfoot and is better suited for drainage applications. For patios with furniture, 3/8-inch or 1/2-inch works best because chairs sit more level on the finer surface.
Do I need landscape fabric under pea gravel?
Yes, always use landscape fabric (also called weed barrier) under pea gravel. Without it, stones sink into the soil within one season and weeds push through. Install fabric over compacted, graded soil and overlap seams by 6 inches. Budget $0.15-$0.30 per square foot for quality commercial-grade fabric. Cheap fabric breaks down in 1-2 years - spend the extra dollar on woven polypropylene.
How much does a ton of pea gravel cover?
One ton of pea gravel covers approximately 100 square feet at 2 inches deep, or about 65 square feet at 3 inches deep. Pea gravel weighs roughly 1.4 tons per cubic yard (about 2,800 lbs). For reference, one cubic yard covers 162 sq ft at 2 inches or 108 sq ft at 3 inches.
Can I use pea gravel for a driveway?
Pea gravel is not recommended for driveways. The smooth, rounded stones do not interlock, so they shift under vehicle tires and create ruts. For driveways, use crushed stone or crusher run (angular pieces that compact and lock together). Our gravel calculator covers driveway-appropriate gravel types with proper depth recommendations.
How do I keep pea gravel in place?
Use metal or plastic landscape edging around the perimeter, installed flush with the gravel surface. Steel edging ($2-$4/linear foot) holds up best long-term. For slopes, use a slightly larger 3/4-inch gravel or consider a stabilizing grid system ($1-$3/sq ft). On flat ground, a compacted base layer of crusher run underneath helps prevent settling and migration.
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