Pea Gravel Calculator (Cubic Yards, Tons & Bags)
Estimate exact cubic yards, tonnage, and 50 lb bags of 3/8" pea gravel needed for patios, walkways, French drains, and dog runs—plus compare bagged vs. bulk delivery costs.
Interactive Material & Cost Estimator
HomeYardMath.com — Hardware Store Shopping List
Quick Reference Coverage Chart (Gravel & Stone)
Instant pre-calculated material estimates for common US residential project sizes before compaction buffer:
| Typical US Project | Area | Depth | Volume | Weight | Store Bags |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small Garden Walkway (3 ft × 15 ft) | 45 sq ft | 2 inches | 0.28 cu yd | 0.38 tons (750 lbs) | 15 bags (0.5 cu ft) |
| Backyard Fire Pit Patio (12 ft × 12 ft) | 144 sq ft | 3 inches | 1.33 cu yd | 1.80 tons (3,600 lbs) | 72 bags (0.5 cu ft) |
| Medium Patio or Dog Run (15 ft × 20 ft) | 300 sq ft | 3 inches | 2.78 cu yd | 3.75 tons (7,500 lbs) | 150 bags (0.5 cu ft) |
| Standard 2-Car Driveway Top Layer (20 ft × 40 ft) | 800 sq ft | 4 inches | 9.88 cu yd | 13.33 tons (26,670 lbs) | 534 bags (Buy Bulk!) |
Engineering Formula & Material Density Constant
Standard dry 3/8-inch washed pea gravel weighs approximately 100 lbs per cubic foot, or 2,700 lbs (1.35 US short tons) per cubic yard. One cubic yard equals 27 cubic feet and covers roughly 108 sq ft at a 3-inch depth.
Bagged vs. Bulk Pea Gravel: Where Is the Cost Breakeven Point?
At major US hardware retailers like Home Depot, Lowe's, and Menards, a standard 0.5 cubic foot bag of pea gravel (~48–50 lbs) costs between $4.48 and $5.48. Since there are 27 cubic feet in 1 cubic yard, it takes 54 individual bags to equal a single cubic yard of gravel—costing roughly $250 to $295 per cubic yard when bought in bags.
By contrast, ordering bulk washed pea gravel from a local landscape supply yard costs $45 to $65 per cubic yard ($35 to $50 per ton), plus a flat local dump-truck delivery fee of $75 to $110. Your financial breakeven point occurs at just 0.65 cubic yards (about 35 bags). Any project larger than 70 square feet at a 3-inch depth is significantly cheaper to buy in bulk.
Recommended Pea Gravel Depth by Project Type
- 2 Inches (Decorative Beds & Mulch Replacement): Ideal around drought-tolerant xeriscape plants and flower beds over heavy landscape fabric. Going thinner than 2 inches exposes the black fabric underneath.
- 3 Inches (Patios, Walkways & Dog Runs): The gold-standard depth for foot traffic. Because pea gravel consists of smooth, rounded stones that shift underfoot, exceeding 3.5 inches creates a "quicksand" sinking effect when walking.
- 4 to 6 Inches (French Drains & Dry Creek Beds): Washed 3/8" pea gravel provides excellent void space for water percolation around perforated PVC or corrugated drain pipes.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many 50 lb bags of pea gravel are in a cubic yard?
It takes exactly 54 standard 0.5 cubic foot (~50 lb) bags of pea gravel to equal 1 cubic yard (27 cubic feet), weighing approximately 2,700 pounds in total.
How much area does 1 ton of pea gravel cover?
One US short ton (2,000 lbs) of pea gravel equals approximately 0.74 cubic yards (20 cubic feet). It covers about 120 sq ft at 2 inches deep, 80 sq ft at 3 inches deep, or 60 sq ft at 4 inches deep.
Does pea gravel compact well for driveways?
Naturally rounded pea gravel does not lock together like angular crushed stone (#57 stone or crusher run). If using pea gravel on a driveway, keep the top dress layer under 2 inches over a compacted crushed base, or install honeycomb gravel stabilization grids.