Pea Gravel Calculator
Pea Gravel Calculator
Pea gravel is a beautiful, cost-effective way to transform your outdoor space whether it’s for driveways, garden paths, patios, playgrounds, or drainage zones.
Planning a project and wondering how much pea gravel you’ll need? Our free Pea Gravel Calculator takes the guesswork out of it. In just a few clicks, you’ll get precise estimates for volume in cubic yards or meters , weight in tons or kilograms , bag count, and total cost, so you can plan smart and stay on budget.
Use Calculator Gravel Other best tools
Whether you’re a homeowner in Texas, a landscaper in London, or a DIY enthusiast in Toronto, this calculator is tailored for you.
Let’s dive in and turn your outdoor project into a success!
Why Our Pea Gravel Calculator Rocks
Our Pea Gravel Calculator is designed to save you time, money, and headaches. Here’s what makes it stand out:
How to Use the Pea Gravel Calculator
Pea Gravel Calculator is easy and fast. Here’s how:
1. Pick Your Input
- Dimensions: Enter length and width (for rectangles) or radius (for circles), in feet, meters, or yards.
- Area: Already know your total area? Just input that directly in square feet or meters.
2. Set the Depth
Choose the depth of your gravel layer in inches, feet, centimeters, or meters.
- Paths & Walkways: 2–3 inches
- Driveways: 4–6 inches
- Playgrounds: At least 6 inches (as per ASTM F1292 for safety)
3. Tweak the Details
- Density: Default is 105 lbs/cu ft (standard for pea gravel), adjustable between 95–110 lbs/cu ft.
- Bag Size: Enter size in cu ft or kg (like 0.5 cu ft or 20 kg).
- Compaction: Choose 10% (light), 15% (standard), or 20% (heavy) to factor in settling.
4. Add Optional Costs
Input price per cubic yard, US ton, metric ton, or per bag to estimate your total cost.
Example: $30/cu yd or $50/ton based on local supplier rates.
5. Calculate & Save
Click Calculate to get:
- Volume (cu ft, cu yd, cu m)
- Weight (lbs, kg, tons)
- Number of bags
- Estimated cost
Example Calculation
- Project: 10 ft × 5 ft patio
- Depth: 3 inches (0.25 ft)
- Density: 105 lbs/cu ft
- Bag size: 0.5 cu ft
- Compaction: 15%
- Cost: $30/cu yd
Results:
- Volume: 17.25 cu ft / 0.64 cu yd / 0.49 cu m
- Weight: 1,811 lbs / 0.91 US tons / 822 kg / 0.75 metric tons
- Bags: 35
- Total Cost: $19.20
These are estimates. For best results, confirm with your local supplier.
Why Pick Pea Gravel?
Pea gravel is made of smooth, naturally weathered stones about 1/4 to 3/8 in diameter. It’s loved by pros and DIYers alike because it’s:
- Beautiful: Available in earth tones (gray, tan, brown) or vibrant colors (white, red, black).
- Budget-Friendly: $30–$60/cu yd or $15–$75/ton, much cheaper than concrete or pavers.
- Low Maintenance: Doesn’t grow weeds easily and stays neat with just a rake.
- Great for Drainage: Water flows through easily, perfect for runoff control.
- Eco-Friendly: Excellent for xeriscaping and drought-tolerant designs.
Coverage Tip: 1 US ton of pea gravel covers about 100 sq ft at 2 inches depth.
Where to Use Pea Gravel (and Ideal Depths)
| Application | Ideal Depth | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Driveways | 4–6 inches | Use a crushed stone base for stability |
| Paths/Walkways | 2–3 inches | Add edging to prevent spreading |
| Patios | 3–4 inches | Works well on compacted sand or gravel base |
| Playgrounds | At least 6 inches | Compliant with ASTM F1292 for safety |
| Drainage Areas | 2–4 inches | Ideal for French drains, dry riverbeds |
| Garden Borders | 1–2 inches | Blocks weeds and retains moisture |
Add 10–20% extra gravel to account for settling and compaction.
How to Calculate Pea Gravel by Hand (If You Love Math!)
If you want to calculate manually, here’s how:
1. Measure Area
- Rectangle: Length × Width (e.g., 10 ft × 5 ft = 50 sq ft)
- Circle: π × Radius² (e.g., 3.14 × 3² = 28.26 sq ft)
- Irregular shapes? Break them down into basic ones and add up areas.
2. Convert Depth
- Inches to feet: 3″ = 0.25 ft
- Centimeters to feet: 10 cm ÷ 30.48 ≈ 0.328 ft
3. Calculate Volume
Volume = Area × Depth × (1 + Compaction%)
e.g., 50 sq ft × 0.25 ft × 1.15 = 14.38 cu ft
4. Convert to Cubic Yards
Cubic yards = Volume ÷ 27
e.g., 14.38 ÷ 27 ≈ 0.53 cu yd
That’s it now you know how to get accurate estimates manually or with our calculator!
How much pea gravel do I need for a driveway?
To cover a standard 10 ft × 20 ft driveway at a depth of 4 inches, you’ll need approximately 1.73 cubic yards or about 2 US tons of pea gravel. This estimate assumes a gravel density of 100 lbs per cubic foot and a 15% compaction factor to account for settling. For more accurate calculations tailored to your specific dimensions and preferences, use our Pea Gravel Calculator.
How much does pea gravel cost?
Pea gravel is one of the most cost-effective landscaping materials. Prices typically range from $30 to $100 per cubic yard or $30 to $75 per ton, depending on your location and supplier. If you’re buying by the bag, expect to pay around $7 to $12 for a 0.5 cubic foot bag. For the best value, check with local suppliers or home improvement stores like Home Depot for bulk deals or delivery options.
What depth should I use for a playground?
For playgrounds, a depth of 6 to 12 inches of pea gravel is recommended to meet ASTM F1292 safety standards. This ensures adequate cushioning to reduce the risk of injury from falls. The exact depth can vary depending on equipment height and local regulations, so it’s wise to confirm with your local authority or safety guidelines before starting.
How do I measure an odd-shaped area?
Measuring an irregular or oddly shaped area is simple when broken down into smaller geometric shapes. Divide the space into rectangles, triangles, and circles, calculate each shape’s area, and then add them together. Once you have the total square footage or square meters, enter that into the calculator under the “Area” field for a quick and accurate result.
How many bags of pea gravel do I need?
To determine how many bags you need, divide the total volume of gravel required by the size of each bag. For example, if your project requires 17.25 cubic feet of gravel and you’re using 0.5 cubic foot bags, you’ll need 35 bags (rounded up from 34.5). Our calculator automates this process, helping you avoid over- or under-buying.
Is pea gravel good for drainage?
Yes, pea gravel is excellent for drainage. Its small, rounded stones create natural gaps that allow water to flow through easily, making it ideal for use in French drains, dry riverbeds, or around foundations. For optimal drainage performance, apply pea gravel at a depth of 2 to 4 inches.
How do I keep weeds out of pea gravel?
To prevent weeds from growing through your pea gravel, start by laying down a high-quality landscape fabric before spreading the gravel. This acts as a physical barrier to weed growth. For added protection, you can also apply natural weed control methods like vinegar or eco-friendly herbicides once or twice a year to maintain a neat, weed-free surface.
