Pea gravel calculator
Pea gravel is the small, rounded stuff for paths, dog runs, and French drains’ pretty cousin. Same volume math as other aggregates — area × depth — but yards often sell it by the ton or in bags with different densities than crushed driveway rock. Enter area and depth, waste, and density (or bag size). Read yards, tons, bags. For chunky driveway base, the main gravel calculator is the better default.
+8% so you don't come up short
Estimate only — not a contractor bid. Confirm bag yields and local codes before you pour or order.
When to use
Path refresh; playground border; decorative bed top-dress; checking whether ten bags beat a scoop.
When not to
Structural base under pavers that specifies crushed angular stone — product matters. Fill dirt / compaction fill → different material. Deep French drain rock with pipe bedding — still volume, but spec the rock type separately.
Assumptions
Volume = area × (depth_in / 12) → yd³. Default density often ~1.2–1.4 tons/yd³ for pea gravel (lighter than dense crushed rock — yard ticket wins). Waste default 5–10%. Bag size commonly 0.5 cu ft decorative bags — enter what you buy.
Worked examples
Example 1
3×20 ft path, 2 in deep, waste 8%, density 1.3 t/yd³
→ cu ft = 10 → ≈ 0.37 yd³ → order ≈ 0.40 yd³ ≈ 0.52 tons
Thin decorative layers look deeper in the bag photo than on the ground.
Example 2
100 sq ft patio top-dress, 1.5 in, 0.5 cu ft bags, waste 10%
→ order cu ft ≈ 13.75 → 28 bags — a bulk scoop may win
Compare bag aisle vs yard minimums before you fill the trunk.
How it calculates
Area × depth to yards, then tons and bags from density and bag size.
- Enter length × width (or area) and depth in inches.
- Set density (default ~1.3 t/yd³) and bag size if buying bags.
- Dial waste; read yards, tons, and bags.
cu ft = area × depth_ft yd³ = cu ft ÷ 27; order with waste tons ≈ order yd³ × density; bags = ceil(order cu ft ÷ bag_cu_ft)
Common traps
- Density differs by quarry — do not treat pea gravel like dense granite base.
- Depth — 1 in looks bare after the first winter of migration.
- Weed fabric does not change volume; edging stops the gravel from touring the lawn.
- Round rock walks — wheelchair/ADA surfaces may want angular or paved instead.
Next tool
General driveway rock → gravel calculator.
Mulch beds instead → mulch calculator.
Topsoil under beds → topsoil calculator.
FAQ
Area × depth → cubic yards, then tons or bags with waste.
Related
Estimate only — not a contractor bid or engineered takeoff. Confirm bag yields and local codes before you pour or order.