How Much Pea Gravel Do I Need?
Part of Landscaping & Aggregate
Quick answer
Cubic yards of pea gravel = length ft × width ft × (depth in ÷ 12) ÷ 27. A cubic yard covers about 162 ft² at 2 inches or 108 ft² at 3 inches deep — the typical depths for patios and paths. Multiply cubic yards by about 1.4 to order by the ton. Example: a 200 ft² patio at 2 inches needs ≈1.2 yd³, or about 1.7 tons.
Pea gravel is estimated like any aggregate: find the volume from the area and depth, then convert to the unit you order in. The only pea-gravel-specific rule is depth — keep it shallow, because deep loose rounded stone is hard to walk on.
How deep should pea gravel be?
| Use | Depth | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Decorative ground cover | 2 in | Over fabric, edged |
| Patio / walking path | 2–2.5 in | Over a compacted base |
| Dog run / play area | 2–3 in | Deeper drains better |
| Loose fill (no base) | 3 in max | Past 3 in it shifts underfoot |
Coverage per cubic yard by depth
| Depth | Coverage per yard | Coverage per ton |
|---|---|---|
| 1 in | 324 ft² | ~230 ft² |
| 2 in | 162 ft² | ~115 ft² |
| 3 in | 108 ft² | ~77 ft² |
Pea gravel for a typical job
| Area | Depth | Cubic yards | Tons |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100 ft² | 2 in | 0.62 yd³ | ~0.9 tons |
| 200 ft² | 2 in | 1.23 yd³ | ~1.7 tons |
| 300 ft² | 3 in | 2.78 yd³ | ~3.9 tons |
Shortcut: coverage in ft² = 324 ÷ depth in inches. Enter your area and depth in the pea gravel calculator and it returns both cubic yards and tons, plus a material cost from your per-ton price. Add about 5–10% extra for raking and uneven ground.
FAQs
How many tons of pea gravel do I need?
Find the cubic yards first (area × depth ÷ 27), then multiply by about 1.4. A 200 ft² patio at 2 inches deep is about 1.2 cubic yards, or roughly 1.7 tons.
How much does a ton of pea gravel cover?
About 115 ft² at 2 inches deep, or 77 ft² at 3 inches. A ton is roughly 0.7 cubic yards of pea gravel.
How many bags of pea gravel are in a cubic yard?
About 54 bags, since pea gravel bags hold 0.5 ft³ each and a cubic yard is 27 ft³. That's why bulk delivery is far cheaper than bags for anything but the smallest job.