Use this free pea gravel calculator to estimate how many cubic yards, tons, and bags of pea gravel you need for patios, walkways, flower beds, and drainage. Enter your area dimensions and depth — get instant quantities and cost.
Pea Gravel Calculator
How to use this pea gravel calculator
- Measure your area. Get the length and width if it’s a rectangle, or the diameter if it’s a circle. For irregular shapes, break the area into rectangles and add the results.
- Choose your depth. 2–3 inches is typical for decorative ground cover. 3–4 inches for walking paths. 4–6 inches for driveways (though crushed stone holds up better than pea gravel for driveways).
- Add a waste factor. 5–10% is standard. Bagged pea gravel tends to settle, so include at least 5% to cover settling and spillage.
- Enter price per ton. Pea gravel typically costs $30–$65 per ton delivered, depending on your region and color.
Frequently asked questions
How much pea gravel do I need per square foot?
At 2 inches deep, you need about 0.17 cubic feet of pea gravel per square foot (or roughly 1 cubic yard per 160 square feet). At 3 inches deep, you need 0.25 cubic feet per square foot (or 1 cubic yard per 108 sq ft).
How many bags of pea gravel make a cubic yard?
A typical 0.5 cubic-foot bag of pea gravel weighs about 40–50 lbs. It takes 54 half-cubic-foot bags to equal one cubic yard (27 cubic feet). A 1 cubic-foot bag = 27 bags per yard.
How much does a ton of pea gravel cover?
One ton of pea gravel covers about 80–100 square feet at 2 inches deep, or 55–65 square feet at 3 inches deep. Coverage varies slightly with the size of the stones.
Is pea gravel good for driveways?
Pea gravel is workable for driveways but not ideal — it shifts under tires and migrates into lawns over time. For driveways, use #57 crushed stone or crusher-run with a bonding agent for best results. Pea gravel excels for pathways, patios, and decorative ground cover.
How do I keep pea gravel from spreading?
Install edging (steel, aluminum, concrete, or wood) around the perimeter. Use a landscape fabric underneath to prevent the gravel from sinking into the soil. For high-traffic areas, consider using a pea-gravel stabilizer grid that locks the stones in place.