Updated on September 5th, 2025

Pea Gravel Calculator

Created By Jehan Wadia

Decorative: 1-2"
Walkways: 2-3"
Driveways: 3-4"
Heavy Traffic: 4-6"
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Introduction

The Pea Gravel Calculator helps you figure out how much pea gravel you need for your project. Whether you're making a walkway, filling a garden bed, or covering a driveway, this tool tells you exactly how much material to buy.

Pea gravel is small, smooth stones about the size of a pea. People use it for paths, patios, and decorative areas because it looks nice and drains water well. Getting the right amount matters - too little means extra trips to the store, and too much wastes money.

This calculator works for different shapes like rectangles, circles, and triangles. Just enter your area size and how deep you want the gravel. The tool then shows you how many tons, cubic yards, or bags you need. It also figures out the total cost including delivery and taxes. You can even see how many wheelbarrow loads or truck trips it will take to move all that gravel. For similar material calculations, try our River Rock Calculator or Concrete Calculator.

How to use our Pea Gravel Calculator

Enter your area measurements and depth to find out how much pea gravel you need and what it will cost.

Shape: Pick if your area is rectangular, circular, or triangular by clicking the right tab.

Length and Width (Rectangle): Type in how long and wide your area is in feet, inches, yards, meters, or centimeters.

Diameter or Radius (Circle): Enter either the diameter (width across) or radius (center to edge) of your circular area.

Base and Height (Triangle): Put in the base width and height of your triangular area.

Depth: Choose how deep you want the pea gravel by clicking a preset button or typing your own depth.

Pea Gravel Size: Select the size of pea gravel stones you want to use.

Material Type: Pick what kind of gravel material you need for your project.

Compaction Factor: Check this box to add extra material for settling and compacting.

Waste Allowance: Choose how much extra to order for spills and uneven spreading.

Density: Enter the weight per cubic foot of your chosen pea gravel type.

Price per Ton: Type in what your supplier charges for each ton of pea gravel.

Price per Cubic Yard: Enter the cost per cubic yard if your supplier prices it this way.

Delivery Fee: Add the delivery charge from your supplier.

Tax Rate: Put in your local sales tax percentage.

What is Pea Gravel?

Pea gravel is a type of small, rounded stone that looks like little peas. Each stone is about the size of a pea, usually between 1/8 inch to 3/8 inch wide. These smooth stones come in many colors like tan, brown, white, and gray. People use pea gravel for driveways, walkways, gardens, and play areas because it looks nice and drains water well.

How to Use Pea Gravel in Your Project

When you plan to use pea gravel, you need to know how deep to spread it. For decoration around plants, 1 to 2 inches deep works well. For walkways where people walk, use 2 to 3 inches. Driveways need 3 to 4 inches because cars are heavy. Areas with lots of traffic need 4 to 6 inches to stay strong and last longer. If you're working on a driveway project, you might also need our Asphalt Calculator to compare material options.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much pea gravel do I need for 100 square feet?

For 100 square feet at 2 inches deep, you need about 0.6 cubic yards or 1.2 tons of pea gravel. At 3 inches deep, you need 0.9 cubic yards or 1.8 tons. The exact amount depends on your chosen depth and if you add extra for waste.

What size pea gravel should I use for a walkway?

For walkways, use 3/8 inch pea gravel. This size is big enough to stay in place when people walk on it but small enough to be comfortable underfoot. Smaller sizes like 1/8 inch can scatter too easily, while larger sizes like 3/4 inch can be harder to walk on.

How many bags of pea gravel equal a cubic yard?

A cubic yard equals about 54 bags of pea gravel when using standard 0.5 cubic foot bags. Since there are 27 cubic feet in a cubic yard, and each bag holds 0.5 cubic feet, you divide 27 by 0.5 to get 54 bags.

Should I add extra pea gravel for compaction?

Yes, add 15% extra pea gravel for compaction. When you spread and walk on pea gravel, it settles down and takes up less space. Adding extra makes sure you have enough to reach your planned depth after everything settles.

What's the difference between tons and cubic yards for pea gravel?

Tons measure weight while cubic yards measure volume. One cubic yard of pea gravel weighs about 1.3 tons. Some suppliers sell by weight (tons) and others by volume (cubic yards). The calculator shows both so you can order using either measurement.

How deep should pea gravel be for a patio?

For a patio, spread pea gravel 2 to 3 inches deep. This depth gives good coverage and stability for furniture and foot traffic. Less than 2 inches might show bare spots, while more than 3 inches can make walking and placing furniture difficult.

Can I use the calculator for irregular shaped areas?

Yes, break irregular shapes into rectangles, circles, or triangles. Calculate each section separately using the right shape tab, then add all the amounts together. This method works for L-shaped patios, curved paths, or any odd-shaped area.

How much does pea gravel delivery usually cost?

Delivery fees range from $50 to $150 depending on distance and amount ordered. Most suppliers charge a flat fee for small orders under 5 tons. Larger orders might get free delivery. The calculator includes a delivery fee field so you can add this to your total cost.


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