Pea gravel calculator for Delaware
Calculate tons of 3/8 inch rounded stone for paths, patios, play areas, and fire-pit spaces.
Enter your project dimensions
At 3/8 inch, pea gravel is rounded stone roughly matching the size implied by its name. It is denser than it feels underfoot, weighing 2,800 lb per cubic yard, or the same 1.4 tons as crushed gravel. Proper depth matters. Below 2 inches, the ground can show through; over 3 inches, footing becomes loose. Use this pea gravel calculator to convert measurements to tons. Play areas are the only project here that needs a depth outside the 2 to 3 inch range.
Turn measurements into tons
- Get length and width for straight-sided areas. For a circular fire-pit area, measure across the diameter.
- Walking areas need 2-3 inches. Keep 9-12 inches in playground fall zones.
- Divide cubic feet by 27 for cubic yards, then multiply yards by 1.4 for tons.
Coverage amounts
| Depth | 1 cubic yard covers | 1 ton covers |
|---|---|---|
| 2 inches | 162 sq ft | ≈ 116 sq ft |
| 3 inches | 108 sq ft | ≈ 77 sq ft |
| 4 inches | 81 sq ft | ≈ 58 sq ft |
| 12 inches, play area | 27 sq ft | ≈ 19 sq ft |
| Project | Typical size | Depth | Volume | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Patio / seating area | 12 x 12 ft | 3" | 1.3 yd³ | 1.9 tons |
| Garden walkway | 25 x 3 ft | 2.5" | 0.6 yd³ | 0.8 tons |
| Fire-pit surround | 12 ft round | 3" | 1 yd³ | 1.5 tons |
| Playground fall zone | 20 x 20 ft | 12" | 14.8 yd³ | 20.7 tons |
| Dog run | 15 x 8 ft | 3" | 1.1 yd³ | 1.6 tons |
Edging keeps stone contained
Pea gravel shifts because the pieces are round. When stone spreads, the border is often absent or has sunk below grade. Keep it contained with steel, aluminum, timber or paver edging installed an inch higher than the finished gravel. A flush border gives stones room to escape over time. Once a slope exceeds about 5%, rain and foot traffic can carry gravel downhill despite the edging. Put a honeycomb stabilizing grid below the gravel, or use angular crushed stone that interlocks on the slope.
Pea gravel vs. crushed gravel vs. river rock
For a soft feel under bare feet, use pea gravel. Crushed walkway gravel has angular pieces that bind together better on slopes, though it is sharper to walk on. River rock is larger and generally used in decorative beds instead of walking areas. Cost commonly follows that same progression. One property can use crushed gravel for a sloping side path, pea gravel at the fire pit, and river rock beside the foundation. The calculators here let you check tonnage for the same footprint in about a minute.
Project guidance
- Put down 2 inches of compacted screenings first so chair legs stay supported, then spread 2-3 inches of pea gravel for the patio surface.
- Play areas: Maintain 9-12 inches for fall zones, and follow the equipment manual. At 12 inches, a ton covers about 19 square feet, so calculate the quantity instead of estimating it.
- Fire pits: use 3 inches. This stone will not burn, and rain can drain away from the seating area overnight.
- Dog runs: spread 2-3 inches. The rounded pieces are easier on paws and can be rinsed clean.
- Walkways: level the gravel with a rake twice yearly. Save a bucket or two to refill the worn traffic line every couple of seasons.
Example calculation: a 12-foot fire-pit circle
A circle measuring 12-foot across covers 113 square feet. At 3 inches deep: 113 x 0.25 = 28 cubic feet = 1.05 cubic yards, which is slightly below 1.5 tons. Order 1.5 and use the small remainder on the busy side next spring.
Pea gravel weights and coverage
How much pea gravel is needed?
What coverage comes from a ton of pea gravel?
What does a yard of pea gravel weigh?
What is the cost of pea gravel?
What is pea gravel made of?
What depth works for a pea gravel patio?
How deep should pea gravel go below a swing set?
Is pea gravel or crushed gravel better for a walkway?
Other calculators
Most patios need less than two tons.
3/8 inch natural pea gravel, sold by the ton with free delivery.
