Pea gravel calculator for Illinois
Estimate 3/8 inch rounded stone by the ton for patios, paths, fire pits, and play areas.
Enter your project dimensions
At 3/8 inch, pea gravel is rounded stone roughly the size its name suggests. It weighs 2,800 lb per cubic yard, or 1.4 tons, matching crushed gravel despite its gentler feel. Getting the depth right matters most. Below 2 inches, soil can show through; over 3 inches, it feels loose under each step. Use this calculator to convert your measurements to tons, with preset depths for the only jobs outside the 2-3 inch range: play areas and nothing else.
Turn measurements into tons
- Find the area by multiplying length and width, or use the diameter for a round fire-pit surround.
- Use 2-3 inches for walking surfaces, or maintain 9-12 inches in playground fall zones.
- To find cubic yards, divide cubic feet by 27; multiply yards × 1.4 for tons.
Coverage guide
| 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 |
A border keeps stone contained
Because pea gravel is round, it moves around. A missing or low border is behind nearly every problem with stone spreading beyond its area. Set steel, aluminum, timber or paver edging an inch higher than the surface to contain it; flush edging allows stone to spill out over a season. On slopes above about 5%, borders alone are not enough, since rain and foot traffic carry the stone downhill. Use a honeycomb stabilizing grid beneath the gravel on slopes, or choose angular crushed stone that interlocks.
Comparing pea gravel, crushed gravel, and river rock
For surfaces where people go barefoot, pea gravel feels smooth but can shift around. Crushed walkway gravel has angular pieces that grip together on grades, though it is rougher underfoot. River rock is larger, more decorative, and better suited to landscape beds than foot traffic. Pricing generally follows that same progression. It is common to combine them in one yard: crushed gravel for a sloped side path, pea gravel at the fire pit, and river rock beside the foundation. Use the calculator for each material to compare the required tonnage for an identical area in about a minute.
Notes for common projects
- Patios: Put down 2 inches of compacted screenings first to keep chair legs from settling, then finish with 2 to 3 inches of pea gravel.
- Play areas: The fall-zone guideline calls for a maintained 9 to 12 inches, and the equipment manual should be checked. At 12 inches, one ton reaches only about 19 square feet, so use the calculator rather than guessing.
- Fire pits: Set the gravel 3 inches deep. It will not burn and allows rain to drain away from the seating space overnight.
- Dog runs: Spread it 2 to 3 inches deep. Its rounded pieces are easy on paws and wash clean.
- Walkways: Level the surface with a rake twice yearly, then refresh the worn traffic line every couple of seasons using a bucket or two saved for that purpose.
Example: a 12-foot fire-pit circle
For a 12-foot diameter circle, the area is 113 square feet. With 3 inches of depth: 113 x 0.25 = 28 cubic feet = 1.05 cubic yards, a little less than 1.5 tons. Order 1.5, then save the small extra layer for the busy edge next spring.
Pea gravel weight and measurements
What amount of pea gravel is needed?
What area will a ton of pea gravel cover?
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For a walkway, pea gravel or crushed gravel?
Other calculators
Most patios use less than two tons.
3/8 inch natural pea gravel sold by the ton, with free delivery.
