YardPea Gravel Calculator: Yards, Tons & Bags
Use this pea gravel calculator to answer “How much pea gravel do I need?” in cubic yards, US tons and bags. Adjust the product density and compare bagged prices with bulk delivery.
01 Measure your space
Add each bed or section. Different sizes are welcome.
Extra is an ordering allowance, not a recommendation to apply a thicker layer.
Enable JavaScript for an interactive estimate. Formulas and examples are available below.
02 Compare your prices
OPTIONALReplace example prices with your store and supplier quotes.
Minimum and increment use the selected bulk pricing unit. Prices exclude tax and installation.
Take it to the store
Save a copy of your result here. It stays in this browser after you reload the page.
Plan a pea gravel path or decorative area
Measure the full area inside the edging, then subtract spaces you will leave uncovered by dividing the project into smaller non-overlapping areas. Enter the intended pea gravel layer only. Estimate a separate base layer using the gravel calculator with its own material, depth and density.
Pea gravel is sold by volume, weight or bag. Confirm the product’s bulk density with your supplier before relying on a tonnage estimate. The editable 90 lb/ft³ default is only an example.
Example: a 3 × 20 ft path
A 3-foot-wide, 20-foot-long path with a 2-inch layer needs 10 cubic feet, or about 0.37 cubic yards. At an assumed 90 lb/ft³, that is 900 pounds, or 0.45 US tons. With no extra allowance it takes 20 bags of 0.5 cubic feet.
Delivery minimums can exceed the amount a narrow path needs. Compare the rounded bulk order with whole bags before buying. Keep quoted prices for the same material and quality so the comparison is meaningful.
Frequently asked questions
What density should I enter?
Use the bulk density for the exact product you are ordering. For example, Gravelshop lists its 1B pea gravel at 2,410 lb per cubic yard, about 89.3 lb per cubic foot. That is a product-specific reference, not a universal value. See the supplier’s product reference.
Does this include edging or a base layer?
No. Results cover only the material layer entered. Edging, fabric, excavation, labor and any underlying material are separate project items.
Can I use a weight-labeled bag?
Ask for its volume or convert using the product’s bulk density: bag cubic feet = bag pounds ÷ density in lb/ft³. Do not assume all 50-pound bags have the same volume.
How the estimate works
For each rectangular area, multiply length by width, then multiply by depth in feet. A square uses side length × side length. An oval uses length × width × π ÷ 4. A circle uses π × radius². Add the volumes of all areas, then apply the extra-material percentage once.
There are 27 cubic feet in one cubic yard. Bag quantities round up to whole bags. Bulk orders round up to the increment you enter, after applying your supplier’s minimum order. Taxes, installation, pickup costs and additional fees are excluded.