Pea Gravel Patio Calculator
A pea gravel patio is 2–3″ of compacted ¾″ minus base, landscape fabric, edging, then 2″ of pea gravel. This sizes the pea gravel layer; run the crushed stone calculator for the base at the same dimensions.
Order 2.00 t — sold by the ton bulk; a pickup carries about ½ ton.
- Area
- 192 ft²
- Volume (32.0 ft³)
- 1.19 yd³
- Net weight @ 1.40 t/yd³
- 3,319 lb · 1.66 t
- Waste / settling 10%
- + 0.17 t
- Order quantity
- 1.83 tons
- Truckloads
- 1 × tri-axle dump (≈20 t)
- Metric
- 0.91 m³ · 1.66 tonnes
- 50 lb bag (0.5 ft³)
- 71 bags
- Materials + delivery$30–$70 / ton · Sep 2026
- $145 – $225
- Installed (with labor)typ. $230
- $182 – $316
Quantities follow the ticket. Links may earn us a commission at no cost to you; they never change a number.
What will this pea gravel job cost?
See the installed price range for these quantities and get up to 3 quotes from local contractors. Free, no obligation.
How to calculate pea gravel by hand
Tons = Length (ft) × Width (ft) × Depth (in) ÷ 12 ÷ 27 × 1.4 t/yd³
Worked example
- Area: 12 ft × 10 ft = 120 ft².
- Volume: 120 ft² × (2 in ÷ 12) = 20 ft³ = 0.74 yd³.
- Weight: 0.74 yd³ × 1.4 t/yd³ = 1.04 tons.
- Waste 5%: 1.04 × 1.05 = 1.09 tons → order 1.25 tons.
- Bagged: 21 ft³ ÷ 0.5 ft³ = 42 × 50 lb bags.
- 1 ton of pea gravel at 2″
- ≈ 115 ft²
- 1 ton of pea gravel at 3″
- ≈ 77 ft²
- 1 yd³ pea gravel
- ≈ 2,800 lb · 1.4 t
- 50 lb bag at 2″
- ≈ 3 ft²
Questions crews ask
How much pea gravel for a 16x12 patio?
At 2″: 192 ft² × 2 ÷ 324 = 1.19 yd³ ≈ 1.66 tons, order 1.75 tons with waste (about 70 bags). Add roughly 2 tons of ¾″ minus for a 2–3″ base.
How thick should pea gravel be on a patio?
Two inches. Thicker feels like walking on a beach and chairs sink. If you want a firmer surface, use ¼″ pea gravel or decomposed granite and compact it.
What edging works for a pea gravel patio?
Steel or aluminium landscape edging, pressure-treated timbers, or a paver soldier course set in concrete. Without edging the stone migrates into the lawn within a season.