Patio Gravel Calculator
Estimate gravel for a gravel patio — surface layer, base layer, or both. Pre-set to pea gravel at 2½ inches; switch material and depth if your plan differs.
Gravel patio: what to allow for
A patio is a surface people sit and walk on barefoot, which shapes the material choice: pea gravel for comfort, #57/#67 crushed stone when furniture needs to stay put. What a patio is not is a driveway — it carries people, not trucks, so a 2–3" surface over a modest base is the normal build, not 6" of layered stone.
Worked example: a 16 × 12 ft patio (192 ft²) with a 2½-inch pea gravel surface: 192 × 0.208 ft = 40 ft³ = 1.48 yd³ ≈ 2.2 tons ≈ 80 bags — a clear case for bulk delivery. Adding a 4-inch compacted #67 base underneath adds another 2.37 yd³ ≈ 3.2 tons (run that as a second calculation with crushed material).
Related tools & guides
Patio gravel FAQ
How deep should a gravel patio be?
A decorative gravel patio surface is typically 2–3 inches of pea gravel or crushed stone over a compacted base. For anything holding furniture or foot traffic regularly, build a 2–4 inch compacted crushed-stone base first, then the surface layer.
What is the best gravel for a patio?
Pea gravel is the most comfortable barefoot surface; compacted #57 or #67 crushed stone stays put better under furniture. Angular stone locks together and resists scattering; round pea gravel needs solid edging to stay in place.
Do I need a base under a gravel patio?
For a long-lasting patio, yes: excavate a few inches, lay landscape fabric, add and compact a crushed-stone base, then top with your surface gravel. A patio laid straight on soil develops dips and weeds within a season or two.