Pea Gravel Calculator

Pea gravel (pea shingle) for paths, patios and play areas: enter the area and depth to get cubic yards or m³, tons or tonnes and bags.

Pea gravel (called pea shingle in the UK) is small, rounded stone, typically about 3/8 inch (10 mm) across, used for paths, patios, play areas and around plants. Because the stones are round, they don't lock together the way crushed stone does: pea gravel stays loose and drains well, but it moves underfoot, so it's usually laid fairly thin and held in by edging. Enter the area and depth and this calculator gives the volume in cubic yards or m³, the weight in tons or tonnes, and the bags or bulk bags you need. A 12 × 10 ft path 2 inches deep takes 0.74 cubic yards, about 1 US ton.

Units
Bag sizes
Area
ft
ft
in
Feet and inches work too: type 12'6 or 12.5.
t/yd³
%
Volume
0.78 yd³

21 ft³ · 0.595 m³

Weight
1.05 tons

2,100 lb · 0.95 tonnes

Bags
42

0.5 ft³ bag

Bags needed by size
0.5 ft³ bag42
25 kg bag39
20 kg bag48
850 kg bulk bag2
How it was worked out
  1. Area: 12 ft × 10 ft = 120 ft²; × 2 in (0.167 ft) deep = 20 ft³
  2. 20 ft³ ÷ 27 = 0.74 yd³
  3. Plus 5% extra = 0.78 yd³
  4. 0.78 yd³ × 1.35 tons per yd³ = 1.05 tons (2,100 lb)
  5. 21 ft³ ÷ 0.5 ft³ per bag = 42, rounded up to 42 bags
Typical weights of common materials
Materialt/m³tons/yd³lb/ft³
Concrete2.402.02150
Gravel1.601.35100
Pea gravel1.601.35100
Crushed stone / crushed rock1.601.35100
River rock1.501.2694
Landscape rock / pebbles1.501.2694
Crushed limestone1.601.35100
Decomposed granite1.501.2694
Crusher run1.601.35100
Road base1.701.43106
Crusher dust1.501.2694
Aggregate (20 mm)1.601.35100
All-in ballast1.651.39103
MOT Type 1 sub-base1.801.52112
Sand1.601.35100
Topsoil1.301.1081
Garden soil1.301.1081
Fill dirt1.401.1887
Mulch0.350.2922
Bark chippings0.300.2519
Asphalt (compacted)2.321.96145

Loose, as-delivered figures; asphalt and concrete are as laid. Moisture, stone size and source change the real weight, so use your supplier's figure when you have it. Tons are US short tons (2,000 lb).

Common use cases

  • A pea gravel patio or seating area
  • Garden paths and stepping-stone infill
  • Drainage around foundations and in French drains
  • Topping for containers and around plants

How to use

  1. Choose feet and inches or metres and millimetres, and the country whose bag sizes you want.
  2. Enter the length and width of the area, or switch the shape to a circle, triangle or a known area. Use Add another area for L-shapes and separate beds.
  3. Enter the depth of pea gravel. Paths and patios are commonly 2 to 3 inches (50 to 75 mm) deep.
  4. Check the density and the extra allowance. Change the density if your supplier quotes a different figure.
  5. Read the volume, weight and bag count, and add a price per ton, cubic yard, m³ or bag for a cost estimate.

FAQ

How deep should pea gravel be for a path or patio?

About 2 to 3 inches (50 to 75 mm) over a firm, compacted base and a weed membrane. Deeper than that and it's tiring to walk on. Stabilising grids help on slopes and where chairs or wheels will sit.

How much does pea gravel weigh?

Around 1.35 US tons per cubic yard (1.6 tonnes per m³) loose, a little more when wet. Change the density if your supplier quotes another figure.

Is pea gravel good for play areas?

It's used as loose-fill surfacing under some play equipment, but that needs a much deeper layer than a path, set by the fall height. Follow the safety guidance for your equipment and country (for example, the CPSC handbook in the US).

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