How to calculate pea gravel
Tons = Cubic yards × 1.4
Pea gravel is small, rounded stone, usually 3/8 in across, washed smooth by water. Because the stones are round, they don't lock together like crushed stone, so the depth you choose matters more than with most gravels.
Worked example
A 12 × 12 ft patio at 3 in deep: 12 × 12 × 3 ÷ 324 = 1.33 cubic yards. With 10% extra that's 1.47 cubic yards, about 2.05 tons, or 80 bags of 0.5 ft³ if you buy bagged.
How deep should pea gravel be?
| Use | Depth | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Garden path | 2–3 in | Deeper feels like walking on sand |
| Patio or seating area | 3 in | Use edging to stop it spreading |
| Dog run | 3–4 in | Over a gravel or landscape fabric base for drainage |
| Under play equipment | 9–12 in | 9 in protects falls up to about 5 ft |
| Driveway top layer | 1–2 in | Over 4–6 in of compacted crushed stone |
Keeping pea gravel in place
Round stones roll, so pea gravel migrates onto lawns and into beds. Solid edging (steel, aluminum, brick or timber) at least 1 in taller than the gravel keeps it contained. On paths and patios, a stabilizer grid of plastic honeycomb under the gravel stops it shifting underfoot and makes it easier to push a wheelbarrow across.
Lay landscape fabric over the soil first to block weeds and stop the gravel sinking into mud. For heavier use, put down 2–3 in of compacted crushed stone (see the gravel calculator) and finish with pea gravel on top.
Bags or bulk?
Bagged pea gravel is usually 0.5 ft³ (about 50 lb). A cubic yard is 27 ft³, so it takes 54 bags to make a yard. Once you need more than about half a yard, bulk delivery from a landscape yard is almost always cheaper, though there's often a delivery fee and a minimum load.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a yard of pea gravel weigh?
About 1.4 tons (2,800 lb). Wet gravel weighs a little more.
How much area does a ton of pea gravel cover?
At 2 in deep, a ton covers roughly 115 sq ft. At 3 in, about 77 sq ft.
How many bags of pea gravel are in a yard?
54 bags of 0.5 ft³, or about 68 bags of 0.4 ft³.
How deep should pea gravel be under a swing set?
At least 9 in for equipment up to about 5 ft high. Pea gravel compacts over time, so top it up and rake it regularly.
Is pea gravel good for a driveway?
Only as a thin top layer. On its own it shifts under tires. Use 4–6 in of compacted crushed stone first, then 1–2 in of pea gravel.
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Last reviewed 2026-11-14. Material weights are typical industry averages and vary by supplier, moisture and compaction.