Pea Gravel Calculator

1 ton of pea gravel ≈ 0.67 cu yd · covers ~100 sq ft at 2" depth · ~50 sq ft at 4" depth · Density: 105 lbs/cu ft · Always add 10% for waste · Bulk beats bags for projects over 50 sq ft

Estimates based on standard pea gravel density of 105 lbs/cu ft per ASTM aggregate data and 2026 US average pricing from landscape suppliers and HomeAdvisor. Always confirm current pricing with your local supplier.

How Does the Pea Gravel Calculator Work?

This pea gravel calculator estimates tons, cubic yards, cubic feet, and 0.5 cu ft bags 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 based on your local supplier price per ton.

1. Enter the length and width of your project area in feet. For irregular shapes, use our Square Footage Calculator first.
2. Enter the desired depth in inches — 2 inches for walkways/borders, 3–4 inches for driveways.
3. Optionally enter your price per ton to get a cost estimate.

3 Worked Examples

Example 1 — Backyard Patio (20×15 ft, 2 Inches, Bulk Delivery)

A 300 sq ft backyard seating area with pea gravel at 2-inch depth. Bulk delivery at $45/ton, landscape fabric included.

Real-world note: For a patio application, install edging first before spreading gravel — pea gravel migrates easily without containment. Use metal landscape edging for a clean, durable border. Rake the gravel to an even 2-inch depth and check in multiple spots with a ruler. A flat-blade garden rake works better than a bow rake for spreading gravel evenly.

Example 2 — Gravel Driveway (60×12 ft, 4 Inches, Bulk)

A 720 sq ft single-lane gravel driveway at 4-inch depth. Note: pea gravel driveways require edging and regular maintenance as gravel shifts under vehicle weight.

Real-world note: Pea gravel driveways are affordable but require more maintenance than crushed stone — round gravel rolls under vehicle tires and migrates to edges over time, requiring periodic raking back to center. For a lower-maintenance driveway, consider crushed limestone or angular stone instead. If you proceed with pea gravel, install 4–6 inch edging buried at least 2 inches below grade to contain the material. Top up with an additional 1–2 tons every 2–3 years as gravel settles and migrates.

Example 3 — Dog Run / Play Area (15×20 ft, 3 Inches, Bags)

A 300 sq ft dog run surface at 3-inch depth using bagged pea gravel from a home improvement store. Small project, no delivery needed.

Real-world note: At 165 bags, the bagged option costs $660–$1,320 just in gravel — bulk delivery at $152–$388 all-in is 60–75% cheaper for this same project. The bag option only makes sense if you have no truck access or need less than 0.5 tons (about 20–25 bags). For this project size, always call a landscape supply yard for bulk pricing before buying bags.

Pea Gravel Coverage Chart

How much area does 1 ton of pea gravel cover? Based on standard pea gravel density of 105 lbs/cu ft (approximately 2,800 lbs/cu yd). Includes 10% waste factor.

Based on pea gravel density of 105 lbs/cu ft, including 10% waste. Actual coverage varies slightly by supplier and moisture content.

Pea Gravel Cost (2026)

Recommended Depth by Application

Hidden Costs Most Estimates Miss

1. Landscape Fabric

Landscape fabric is not included in most pea gravel estimates but is essential — without it, weeds push through within one season and the gravel sinks into soft soil over time, requiring a full top-up. Commercial-grade woven geotextile fabric costs $0.10–$0.20 per sq ft ($30–$60 for a 300 sq ft project). Do not use cheap plastic sheeting — it blocks water drainage and degrades in sunlight.

2. Edging

Pea gravel is round and migrates easily — especially on any slight grade. Without edging, gravel spreads into lawn areas within one season. Metal landscape edging costs $1–$3 per linear foot installed; plastic edging costs $0.50–$1.50. For a 300 sq ft rectangular patio (70 LF perimeter), edging adds $35–$210 to the project cost. This is consistently one of the most overlooked line items.

3. Delivery Minimums

Most bulk landscape suppliers have a 1–3 ton minimum for delivery. If you need 0.8 tons but the minimum is 2 tons, you pay for 2 tons. Always ask: What is the delivery minimum? Is there a small-load surcharge? Fuel surcharges of $10–$30 per delivery are standard in 2026. Factor all of these into your per-ton cost comparison before choosing a supplier.

4. Ongoing Top-Up Costs

Pea gravel compacts and settles over time — especially in high-traffic areas like driveways. Expect to top up 10–20% of the original volume every 2–3 years. A 720 sq ft driveway that took 14 tons at installation may need 1.5–3 tons every few years to maintain the original depth. Budget for this ongoing cost when comparing pea gravel to lower-maintenance options like decomposed granite with stabilizer.

5. Base Layer (for Driveways)

For driveways and high-traffic pathways, pea gravel performs best over a compacted base layer of crushed stone (2–4 inches of ¾" crushed limestone or road base). Without a base layer, the gravel sinks into soft soil under vehicle weight and requires replacement sooner. This base layer adds $25–$55/ton for a separate crushed stone order — typically 5–8 tons for a single-lane driveway.

Common Calculation Mistakes

Not Adding the Waste Factor

The calculator gives exact theoretical volume. Real projects always need 10–15% more — gravel compacts when spread, settles over time, and spills at edges during installation. Running short means a second delivery at full price. Always order at least 10% more than the calculator result.

Using the Wrong Depth for Driveways

Many homeowners install pea gravel driveways at 2–3 inches depth because that’s what they use for walkways. For vehicle traffic, 4–6 inches is required — thinner applications compress to almost nothing under vehicle weight within months and require immediate top-up. Using the wrong depth means ordering half as much gravel as you actually need.

Forgetting the Landscape Fabric and Edging in the Budget

Many estimates include only gravel cost. A complete project also needs landscape fabric ($0.10–$0.20/sq ft), fabric pins ($5–$15), and edging ($0.50–$3.00/LF). For a 300 sq ft project, these add $70–$365 — potentially more than the gravel itself for smaller projects. Always budget the complete material list.

Buying Bags When Bulk Is Dramatically Cheaper

Bagged pea gravel from home improvement stores costs $240–$480/ton equivalent. Bulk delivery costs $35–$55/ton plus $50–$150 delivery. For a 300 sq ft patio at 2 inches deep (2.63 tons needed), bags cost $630–$1,260 vs bulk at $142–$295 all-in. Bags are only cost-effective for projects under 0.5 tons (roughly 50 sq ft at 2 inches deep).

Choosing Pea Gravel for Steep Slopes

Pea gravel is round and smooth — it rolls on any slope greater than about 5% grade. Using pea gravel on a sloped area produces a surface that shifts underfoot, migrates downhill with rain, and requires constant maintenance. For slopes, use angular crushed stone or decomposed granite with stabilizer — the angular edges lock together and stay in place.

Buying & Installation Tips

Before You Buy

• Always install landscape fabric first — woven geotextile prevents weeds and stops gravel from sinking into soil.
• Install edging before spreading — metal, plastic, or brick edging keeps pea gravel contained and prevents migration into lawn areas.
• Order 10–15% extra — for compaction, waste, and future top-ups.
• Ask for washed pea gravel — unwashed gravel contains dust and debris that affects appearance and drainage.
• Get 3 local quotes — bulk pea gravel pricing varies significantly by region. Call local quarries and landscape supply yards to compare.
• Order a sample bag first — color and size can look very different in person vs photos online.

How We Calculate

Volume (cu ft) = Length × Width × (Depth ÷ 12) · Tons = Volume × 105 ÷ 2,000 · Cubic Yards = Volume ÷ 27 · Bags = CEILING(Volume ÷ 0.5)

The density constant of 105 lbs per cubic foot is the standard bulk density for pea gravel consistent with ASTM C125 (Standard Terminology Relating to Concrete and Concrete Aggregates) and widely used by landscape supply industry sources. This translates to approximately 2,835 lbs per cubic yard, or roughly 0.71 short tons per cubic yard.

Note: the original calculator used a factor of 0.0975 tons/cu ft, which corresponds to a density of 195 lbs/cu ft — significantly higher than the standard 105 lbs/cu ft for pea gravel. This updated formula uses the correct 0.0525 tons/cu ft (105 lbs/cu ft ÷ 2,000 lbs/ton). The 10% waste factor should always be applied before ordering. Bag count uses 0.5 cu ft as the standard bag size at US home improvement stores.

Frequently Asked Questions