Pea gravel calculator for Washington
Plan patios, fire pits, paths, and play areas in tons of 3/8 inch rounded stone.
Enter your project dimensions
Pea gravel consists of rounded 3/8 inch stone, near the size its name brings to mind. Although it feels soft underfoot, it weighs 2,800 lb per cubic yard, or 1.4 tons, equal to crushed gravel. Proper depth makes the difference. At less than 2 inches, the ground may show through. More than 3 inches feels like walking in dry sand. This calculator converts your measurements into tons and includes set depths for play areas, the only use outside the 2 to 3 inch guideline.
Turn measurements into tons
- Calculate the footprint with length times width, or use the diameter for a round fire-pit surround.
- For walkable areas, use 2 to 3 inches. Playground fall zones need 9 to 12 inches kept in place.
- Divide cubic feet by 27 for cubic yards, then multiply yards by 1.4 for tons.
Material coverage
| Depth | 1 cubic yard covers | 1 ton covers |
|---|---|---|
| 2 inches | 162 sq ft | ≈ 116 sq ft |
| 3 inches | 108 sq ft | ≈ 77 sq ft |
| 4 inches | 81 sq ft | ≈ 58 sq ft |
| 12 inches, play area | 27 sq ft | ≈ 19 sq ft |
| Project | Typical size | Depth | Volume | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Patio / seating area | 12 x 12 ft | 3" | 1.3 yd³ | 1.9 tons |
| Garden walkway | 25 x 3 ft | 2.5" | 0.6 yd³ | 0.8 tons |
| Fire-pit surround | 12 ft round | 3" | 1 yd³ | 1.5 tons |
| Playground fall zone | 20 x 20 ft | 12" | 14.8 yd³ | 20.7 tons |
| Dog run | 15 x 8 ft | 3" | 1.1 yd³ | 1.6 tons |
A solid edge matters
Pea gravel moves because its stones are round. Most spreading problems come from a border that is absent or has settled. Keep the gravel contained with steel, aluminum, timber or paver edging placed an inch above the surface. When edging sits flush, stones can work their way out over a season. At slopes over about 5%, rain and foot traffic can move gravel downhill even with edging. Use a honeycomb stabilizing grid beneath the gravel on slopes, or choose angular crushed stone that interlocks.
Pea gravel compared with crushed gravel and river rock
Pea gravel feels comfortable under bare feet and is easy to move around. Crushed gravel works well on paths and slopes because its angular pieces lock together, though it is sharper underfoot. River rock is larger and decorative, better suited to beds than walking areas. Their pricing generally follows that sequence. A single landscape can use each material in a different spot: crushed gravel on a sloped path, pea gravel at a fire pit, and river rock beside a foundation. Use the calculators here to compare tonnage for an equal footprint in about a minute.
Notes for common projects
- Patios: Start with 2 inches of compacted screenings so chair legs are less likely to sink. Cover that layer with 2 to 3 inches of pea gravel.
- Play areas: Keep a 9 to 12 inch depth for the standard fall-zone specification, and review the equipment manual. At 12 inches, a ton reaches only about 19 square feet, so calculate the quantity instead of guessing.
- Fire pits: Use 3 inches. The non-flammable stone allows rain to drain from the seating area overnight.
- Dog runs: Lay 2 to 3 inches. The rounded gravel is gentle on paws and rinses clean.
- Walkways: Smooth the surface with a rake twice yearly. Set aside a bucket or two to refill the traffic line every couple of seasons.
Example calculation: a 12-foot fire-pit circle
A circle measuring 12-foot across covers 113 square feet. At 3 inches: 113 x 0.25 = 28 cubic feet = 1.05 cubic yards, a little below 1.5 tons. Order 1.5, then save the small remainder for the high-traffic side next spring.
Pea gravel quantities and weight
What quantity of pea gravel is needed?
What area will one ton of pea gravel cover?
What does a cubic yard of pea gravel weigh?
What is the cost of pea gravel?
What is pea gravel made of?
What depth is right for a pea gravel patio?
How deep should pea gravel go below a swing set?
For a walkway, choose pea gravel or crushed gravel?
More calculators
Most patios need less than two tons.
3/8 inch natural pea gravel sold by the ton with free delivery.
