Pea Gravel Calculator
Use this free pea gravel calculator to instantly find out how many tons, cubic yards, and bags of pea gravel you need for your project. Whether you’re covering a walkway, patio, driveway, dog run, or drainage area, simply enter your length, width, and desired depth to get accurate material quantities and an optional cost estimate. Perfect for homeowners, DIY landscapers, and contractors planning any pea gravel project.
Tons = Volume × 0.0975 | Bags = Tons × 66.67
1 ton of pea gravel ≈ 0.67 cubic yards · covers ~100 sq ft at 2" depth · ~50 sq ft at 4" depth
Estimates based on standard pea gravel density (105 lbs/cu ft). Add 10% for waste.
How Does the Pea Gravel Calculator Work?
This pea gravel calculator estimates how many tons, cubic yards, and bags of pea gravel you need for any landscaping or construction project. Enter your area dimensions and desired depth, and the calculator instantly gives you material quantities and an optional cost estimate.
Steps:
- Enter the length and width of your project area in feet.
- Enter the desired depth in inches — typically 2 inches for walkways, 3–4 inches for driveways.
- Optionally enter the price per ton at your local supplier to get a cost estimate.
- The calculator shows tons, cubic yards, cubic feet, area, and estimated cost instantly.
Always add 10–15% extra to your order to account for compaction, spillage, and uneven ground. It's much cheaper to over-order than to make a second trip.
Pea Gravel Coverage Chart
How much area does 1 ton of pea gravel cover? Use this chart to quickly estimate how many tons you need based on your project size and depth.
| Depth | 1 Ton Covers | 100 sq ft needs | 200 sq ft needs | 500 sq ft needs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 inch | ~200 sq ft | 0.5 tons | 1 ton | 2.5 tons |
| 2 inches | ~100 sq ft | 1 ton | 2 tons | 5 tons |
| 3 inches | ~65 sq ft | 1.5 tons | 3 tons | 7.7 tons |
| 4 inches | ~50 sq ft | 2 tons | 4 tons | 10 tons |
| 6 inches | ~33 sq ft | 3 tons | 6 tons | 15 tons |
*Based on standard pea gravel density of ~105 lbs per cubic foot. Actual coverage varies slightly by supplier.
Pea Gravel Price by Purchase Type (2026)
| Purchase Type | Quantity | Average Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bulk by ton | 1 ton | $35 – $55 | Large projects 200+ sq ft |
| Bulk by yard | 1 cu yd | $40 – $65 | Medium projects |
| Bag (0.5 cu ft) | 0.5 cu ft | $4 – $8 | Small patches & borders |
| Bag (0.5 cu ft) bulk | Per pallet | $180 – $320 | Mid-size projects |
Buying pea gravel in bulk by the ton is typically 40–60% cheaper than buying bags from a hardware store. For any project over 100 sq ft, call your local landscape supply yard for bulk pricing.
Example Calculation
You want to cover a 20 ft × 15 ft patio area with pea gravel at 2 inches deep. Bulk price is $45 per ton.
20 ft × 15 ft = 300 sq ft
Step 2 — Calculate volume in cubic feet:300 × (2 ÷ 12) = 300 × 0.167 = 50 cu ft
Step 3 — Convert to cubic yards:50 ÷ 27 = 1.85 cubic yards
Step 4 — Convert to tons:50 × 0.0975 = ~4.9 tons
Step 5 — Estimated cost:4.9 × $45 = ~$220 (add 10% buffer = ~$242)
If buying 0.5 cu ft bags: 50 cu ft ÷ 0.5 = 100 bags. At $5/bag that's $500 — much more expensive than bulk. Always buy bulk for projects over 50 sq ft.
Pea Gravel Buying & Installation Tips
Recommended Depth by Use
| Application | Recommended Depth | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Decorative garden border | 1 – 2 inches | Aesthetic only |
| Walkway / path | 2 – 3 inches | Most common use |
| Patio / seating area | 2 – 3 inches | Add landscape fabric below |
| Driveway | 4 – 6 inches | Needs edging to contain |
| Dog run / play area | 3 – 4 inches | Smooth, safe surface |
| Drainage / French drain | 6 – 12 inches | Use washed pea gravel |
Before You Buy
- Always use landscape fabric underneath to prevent weeds and stop gravel from sinking into soil.
- Install edging (metal, plastic, or brick) to keep pea gravel contained — it migrates easily without borders.
- Order 10–15% extra for compaction and waste.
- Ask for washed pea gravel — unwashed gravel contains dust and debris that affects appearance and drainage.
Pea gravel is not suitable for steep slopes — it will roll and shift. Use crushed gravel or angular stone for slopes greater than 5% grade.