Pea Gravel Calculator
Enter your area and depth to get cubic yards, tons, bags, and an estimated cost for pea gravel. The tool below is pre-set to pea gravel's density (about 110 lb/ft³), so the weight it reports matches what suppliers will actually quote you.
How the pea gravel calculation works
The math is the same as any gravel volume estimate — only the density changes:
Volume = Length × Width × Depth
Weight = Volume × Pea Gravel Density (≈ 110 lb/ft³ ≈ 1.49 tons/yd³)
Worked example: a 3-foot-wide, 40-foot-long walkway at 2½ inches deep is 120 ft² × 0.208 ft = 25 ft³, which is 0.93 cubic yards ≈ 1.4 tons ≈ 50 of the common 0.5 ft³ bags. The calculator reproduces this and shows the formula with your own numbers.
Where pea gravel is used — and how deep
| Project | Typical depth | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Walkways & paths | 2–3" | Use edging — round stone migrates without a border to hold it |
| Landscape beds | ≈ 2" | Over woven landscape fabric to suppress weeds |
| Play areas | 3–4" | Rounded surface is forgiving underfoot; refresh as it compacts |
| Patios | 2–3" | Over a compacted base for anything but very light use |
| Aquarium substrate | 1–3" | A different, tank-sized calculation — see the aquarium gravel calculator |
One honest caveat: pea gravel is round and doesn't compact or lock. That's a feature for playgrounds and beds, and a problem for anything driven on — for driveways or paver bases, angular crushed gravel is the right material. The difference is explained in more depth in the gravel types and sizes guide.
Related tools & guides
Gravel Calculator
The general tool — any shape, any material, same fast math.
Crushed Gravel Calculator
For driveways and bases where angular, compacting stone is needed.
Pea Gravel Cost Calculator
Bag-versus-bulk pricing at pea gravel depths.
Gravel Types & Sizes Guide
What pea gravel is, how it compares to crushed stone, and where each belongs.
Pea gravel FAQ
How deep should pea gravel be?
Walkways and paths need 2–3 inches, decorative landscape beds around 2 inches, and play areas 3–4 inches. Pea gravel is round and doesn't lock together, so it spreads thinner than you expect — measure the depth you want before ordering.
How many bags of pea gravel do I need?
Divide your cubic feet by the bag size. Most retail pea gravel bags hold 0.5 cubic feet, so 25 cubic feet of fill takes about 50 bags. The calculator reports the bag count automatically, but past roughly half a cubic yard bulk delivery is usually much cheaper per bag equivalent.
Can I use pea gravel on a driveway?
It's not recommended. Pea gravel is round and rolls under tires, so it ruts and scatters on anything driven over regularly. For driveways, use angular crushed stone or crusher run, which compacts and locks — the crushed gravel calculator is built for that job.
Do I need landscape fabric under pea gravel?
In beds and walkways, yes — a woven landscape fabric under a 2–3 inch layer of pea gravel suppresses weeds and stops the stone from sinking into soft soil over time. Skip solid plastic sheeting, which traps water.
Does the calculator account for waste and spillage?
No. The result is the loose quantity for your exact dimensions. Because pea gravel rolls and spreads, a common practice is to order 5–10% more than the calculated amount.