Pea gravel calculator
How much pea gravel do I need?
Estimate pea gravel volume in cubic feet, cubic yards, and tons for pathways, playgrounds, and decorative landscaping.
Pea gravel calculator
Pea gravel calculator result
Pea gravel uses
Pea gravel is smooth, rounded stone typically 3/8 to 1/2 inch in size. It is popular for pathways, playgrounds, dog runs, drainage areas, and decorative garden beds. Unlike crushed stone, pea gravel has no sharp edges, making it comfortable to walk on. It does shift underfoot and needs edging to stay in place. For driveways, use crushed stone instead as it locks together better.
Worked example
For example, for a 15×10 ft pathway, 3 inches deep:
- Area = 15 × 10 = 150 sq ft
- Volume = 150 × (3 ÷ 12) = 37.5 cu ft
- Cubic yards = 37.5 ÷ 27 = 1.39 yd³
- Weight = 1.39 × 1.3 = 1.81 tons
- Order 2 tons to account for spreading and settling
Common mistakes
| Mistake | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Not using edging | Pea gravel shifts easily — use metal or plastic edging to keep it contained |
| Walking on unbound gravel | Use stepping stones for heavy traffic areas — pea gravel shifts underfoot |
| Installing on steep slopes | Pea gravel rolls downhill on slopes — use decomposed granite or crushed stone instead |