Pea Gravel Calculator

Free pea gravel calculator. Instant cubic yards plus tons at 2,800 lb/yd³, with coverage at 2–4 inch depth. No compaction needed. Free, mobile-friendly, no sign-up.

Pea gravel is the small, smooth, rounded gravel — usually 3/8″ in size — that's sold for landscaping, dog runs, walkways, and playground surfaces. A cubic yard of pea gravel weighs about 2,800 lb (1.4 US tons), slightly heavier than crushed stone because the rounded shape packs tighter into the same volume.

One yard of pea gravel covers about 162 ft² at 2 inches deep or 81 ft² at 4 inches. For a dog run, 4 inches is the standard depth.

Common uses for pea gravel

• Dog runs and dog potty areas — easy to clean, drains well, gentle on paws. Use 4 inches over landscape fabric.
• Walkways and paths — 2–3 inches over a compacted base. Edging is critical; without it, pea gravel migrates fast.
• Patios — pea gravel "loose patio" is a low-cost alternative to pavers. 4–6 inches, with sturdy edging (steel, brick, or pressure-treated lumber).
• Playground surfaces — pea gravel meets ADA and ASTM requirements for playground surfacing at 6+ inches.

Pea gravel vs river rock

Both are smooth and rounded. Pea gravel is the smaller size (3/8″ down to dust), while river rock runs 1″–3″ or larger. For underfoot, pea gravel is the better choice — it doesn't hurt to walk on bare feet. River rock is for visual impact and drainage.

Why no compaction factor?

Pea gravel is rounded, not crushed. The pieces don't lock together, so a plate compactor doesn't do much beyond the first inch of settling under its own weight. Order the calculator's output as-is, or add 5% for settling.

Drainage applications

Pea gravel is excellent for French drains and foundation drainage. The standard French drain is a perforated pipe in a trench, surrounded by pea gravel, with landscape fabric over the top to keep silt out. A 4″ perforated pipe in a 12″ wide trench uses about 0.33 yd³ of pea gravel per linear foot.

Frequently asked questions