Free Calculator
Pea Gravel Calculator — How Much Pea Gravel Do I Need?
Calculate tons, cubic yards, and delivered cost to your ZIP.
Fast path
Pick the material, enter the shape and depth, then use the result card to unlock delivered pricing for your ZIP.
About the default priced product
This calculator prices Pea Gravel (#89), a clean angular 3/8" limestone used as Florida's common pea-gravel substitute. If your project requires rounded river pea gravel, use this page for sizing and request a manual quote for the exact material.
3. Enter Dimensions
Your order summary lands here
As soon as the dimensions are valid, you will see the recommended quantity, truckload count, and the ZIP pricing step.
Use this calculator to size small-stone ground cover, walkways, and drainage. For live Florida pricing, WeGravel quotes #89 limestone, the angular local substitute most yards stock instead of true rounded river pea gravel.
How to use this pea gravel calculator
- 1
Measure the area
For a walkway, multiply length by width. For a free-form bed, treat it as a rectangle bounding the longest length and widest point.
- 2
Pick a depth
Use 2 inches for decorative ground cover, 3 inches for walkways and patios, and 4–6 inches for playground surfacing or drainage.
- 3
Add an edge buffer
Pea gravel migrates easily. The calculator already adds a buffer, but plan to top off the bed every 1–2 years if there is no edging.
- 4
Enter your ZIP
Florida ZIPs return a delivered price for #89 limestone, the local pea-gravel substitute. Outside Florida the sizing still applies — request a quote if you need true rounded pea gravel.
How the math works
Volume in cubic yards equals Length × Width × Depth (in feet) divided by 27. Depth in inches is divided by 12 first.
Small stone in this category usually lands around 1.25 to 1.4 tons per cubic yard depending on whether it is rounded river gravel or angular #89 limestone. The calculator uses the live catalog density for the selected product.
We apply the product-specific buffer from our catalog, which can run higher than a compacting driveway stone because small loose gravel migrates, spills, and bounces out during installation. The recommendation reflects that ordering reality, not just the strict math.
How much does pea gravel cover?
Quick reference for how much area one ton and one cubic yard cover at common depths.
| Depth | 1 ton covers | 1 cubic yard covers |
|---|---|---|
| 1" | 203 sq ft | 324 sq ft |
| 2" | 101 sq ft | 162 sq ft |
| 3" | 68 sq ft | 108 sq ft |
| 4" | 51 sq ft | 81 sq ft |
| 6" | 34 sq ft | 54 sq ft |
| 12" | 17 sq ft | 27 sq ft |
Assumes about 1.6 tons per cubic yard, typical for #89 limestone — the angular local substitute most Florida yards stock. True rounded river pea gravel is lighter (~1.3 tons/yd³) and covers slightly more per ton.
Typical quantities by project
| Project | Depth | Area | Estimate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Backyard walkway 3 ft × 30 ft | 3" | 90 sq ft | ~0.9 cubic yards |
| Patio area 10 ft × 12 ft | 3" | 120 sq ft | ~1.2 cubic yards |
| Playground 20 ft × 20 ft | 6" | 400 sq ft | ~7.5 cubic yards |
| Decorative bed 200 sq ft | 2" | 200 sq ft | ~1.3 cubic yards |
| Drainage trench 30 ft × 1 ft | 12" | 30 sq ft | ~1.2 cubic yards |
Common ordering mistakes
From real deliveries, these are the mistakes we see most often. Avoiding any one of them saves a callback order.
Walkways that are too shallow
A 1-inch pea gravel walkway looks fine on day one and is patchy dirt by week two. Plan for 3 inches minimum over a compacted base, with edging on both sides.
No edging at all
Pea gravel will not stay put. Without steel, paver, or timber edging, expect to lose an inch of depth per year as stones scatter into the lawn, mulch beds, and driveway.
Skipping the base layer
Pea gravel on top of bare soil pushes into the dirt under foot traffic and disappears. Lay a 2-inch compacted base of crushed limerock or #57 first, then 2–3 inches of pea gravel on top.
Using pea gravel for driveways
Pea gravel rolls under tires and creates ruts. It is wrong for any vehicle surface. Use #57 stone or recycled asphalt millings for driveways and reserve pea gravel for foot traffic only.
Wrong size for playgrounds
Playground pea gravel should be rounded and roughly ⅜" — not crushed angular stone of the same size. Angular stone has sharp edges. Confirm the product is rounded before using it for play areas.
No landscape fabric
Without geotextile fabric between the soil and the pea gravel, the stones mix into the dirt over a few seasons. Fabric keeps the layers separate and the bed weed-free for years longer.
Frequently asked questions
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Ready to see delivered pricing?
Jump back to the calculator to price the exact quantity for your ZIP, or request a manual quote if the project needs special handling.