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Pea Gravel Calculator

Calculate pea gravel for walkways, patio bases, French drains, playgrounds, and dog runs. Round smooth stones that compact gently — exact cubic yards and cost in seconds.

You'll need
1.48 cu yd · 20 bags
Cost
$45–$90
Project details
Areas
Area 1
LengthWidthside viewDepth
Area: 160 sq ftVolume: 40 cu ft
Total160 sq ft · 40.00 cu ft
Material
Pea Gravel · Round, smooth stones. Great for walkways, drainage, French drains.
Default depth: 3"Density: ~100 lbs/cu ftCompaction: 10% extra
How you'll buy it
💡 Bulk delivery recommended
Your project is ≥1 cubic yard — bulk is usually half the cost of 20 bags.

Leave blank to use estimate

Default: $30–$60/yd

Typical: $50–$120

Extras

Plastic, metal, or stone edging

Cost breakdown

Showing bulk delivery pricing (recommended for your volume).
Pea Gravel · 1.50 cu yd$45 – $90
Total project cost$45 – $90
💡 Comparison: 20 bags would cost $80 – $140; bulk (1.50 yd) would cost $45 – $90.

Shopping list

Everything you need for this project.
  • Pea Gravel (bulk delivery)1.50 cu yd
  • Wheelbarrow1
  • Garden rake & flat shovel1 set
  • Gloves1 pair
  • Tamper or hand compactor (for compaction)optional
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Math breakdown

Step-by-step from your inputs.
Area 1 · 20 × 8 × 3"/1240 cu ft
Total volume40.00 cu ft
Cubic yards · ÷ 271.48 cu yd
Bags · ÷ 2 cu ft per bag20 bags
Weight · @ 100 lbs/cu ft4,000 lbs (2.00 tons)

Pro tips

2-3 inches is plenty. Pea gravel paths and patios only need 2-3 inches over a base. Anything more is wasteful and harder to walk on — the stones shift underfoot.

Use edging to contain it. Pea gravel migrates without a hard edge. Plastic edging, stone borders, or steel landscape edging stops it from spreading into your lawn.

Lay fabric underneath. Pea gravel sinks into bare soil within a year without landscape fabric. The fabric also blocks weeds — both critical for a maintenance-free install.

Frequently asked questions

How much pea gravel for a 10×10 patio?▾
At 3 inches deep: about 1 cubic yard (1.4 tons). The calculator handles your exact dimensions and depth.
Is pea gravel good for driveways?▾
Not great — the smooth round stones don't lock together like crushed gravel does, so the surface stays loose under tire weight. Better for walkways, patios, and decorative areas.
Pea gravel vs. crushed gravel for drainage?▾
Both work for French drains. Pea gravel is cleaner-looking if exposed, crushed gravel is cheaper. For buried drains, either is fine.
Does pea gravel attract bugs or pests?▾
Pea gravel is one of the most pest-resistant ground covers — no organic material for bugs to eat, water drains through. Common in dog runs and play areas for this reason.

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Disclaimer. This calculator provides estimates for planning purposes. Actual material quantities and costs may vary based on site conditions, material availability, and local pricing.