Pea Gravel Calculator

For a rectangular area the volume is simply Volume = Length × Width × Depth. That volume is then converted to cubic yards or cubic meters — the units suppliers usually quote.

To estimate weight, the calculator uses Weight = Volume × Pea Gravel Density. Because density varies between suppliers and stone, the density is always shown and you can replace it with the figure your supplier states.

• Landscaping beds and garden borders
• Garden paths and walkways
• Pea gravel patios and seating areas
• Decorative stone areas
• Drainage beds and French-drain material estimates
• Playground and recreation areas
• Areas around stepping stones
• General outdoor coverage

The calculator estimates quantity only. It does not determine whether pea gravel is suitable for a particular structural, surfacing or drainage application.

1. 1Choose how you want to enter the project: Length × Width, Multiple Areas, Known Area or Known Volume.
2. 2Enter your dimensions, area or volume and select the units you measured in.
3. 3Enter the pea-gravel depth planned for your project where required.
4. 4Check the reference density, or turn on Use supplier density and enter your supplier's figure.
5. 5Select an extra material allowance.
6. 6Optionally turn on Estimate bags and enter the bag volume, weight and price.
7. 7Optionally enter a price per ton, cubic yard, cubic meter or bag, plus delivery.
8. 8Select Calculate, then review volume, tons, bags, coverage and cost.

Pea gravel generally consists of small, rounded stones and is commonly used for decorative and landscaping work. Common applications may include paths, patios, garden areas, decorative borders and some drainage uses.

Whether it suits your own project depends on your design, site and requirements, so BuildCalcWorks does not guarantee suitability for a particular use.

Pea gravel does not have one universal weight. Published references commonly place it around 2,500–3,000 lb per cubic yard, or roughly 1.25–1.5 US tons per cubic yard, depending on stone size, moisture, packing and supplier processing.

BuildCalcWorks uses a single central reference of 1.30 tons per cubic yard (about 1,543 kg/m³) as a planning figure — not an exact value. When your supplier gives you a bulk density, enter it with Use supplier density for a closer estimate.

Tons = Cubic Yards × Tons Per Cubic Yard. Volume describes the space the stone occupies; tons describe how heavy it is, so the two are only linked through density.

The results panel shows both directions at the density in use, because some suppliers sell by weight and others by volume.

Bags = Required Volume ÷ Volume Per Bag, always rounded up. Because bag sizes differ by retailer and product, BuildCalcWorks asks you to select or enter the actual bag volume rather than assuming every bag holds the same amount.

Coverage depends on the depth of the layer: Area = Volume ÷ Depth. Thinner layers cover more area and thicker layers cover less.

Advanced Options includes the reverse calculation, so you can enter pea gravel you already have in cubic yards, cubic feet, cubic meters, tons or bags and see the area it covers at your planned depth. BuildCalcWorks does not prescribe a depth.

Bagged pea gravel may be convenient for smaller projects, and bulk pea gravel may be available for larger quantities. Which works out better depends on local prices, delivery, project size, handling and your supplier, so the calculator simply shows both side by side from the figures you enter and never recommends one over the other.

Pea gravel may be used in some drainage applications, but suitability depends on the actual design, soil, drainage system and project requirements. BuildCalcWorks calculates quantity only and does not claim pea gravel is the best drainage aggregate for any particular situation.

Pea gravel is normally delivered loose and may settle after placement. Settlement and compaction vary by project and material, so no factor is applied automatically. If your supplier or specification provides one, enter it as the optional compaction adjustment in Advanced Options — it is reported separately from the extra material allowance.

Pea gravel is sold by weight, by volume or by the bag depending on supplier and region, so you can price per ton, cubic yard, cubic meter or bag, applied to the recommended order quantity. There is no universal pea-gravel price: prices vary by supplier, location, quantity, stone colour or grade and delivery.

Delivery is only included if you enter a fixed amount, and nothing is estimated automatically. Spreading, fabric, edging, labour, excavation and tax are not included.