Pea gravel calculator for Hawaii
Figure material for patios, walkways, fire pits, and play areas in tons of 3/8 inch rounded stone.
Enter your project dimensions
At 3/8 inch, pea gravel is rounded stone roughly matching its name in size. Despite its soft feel underfoot, it compacts densely at 2,800 lb per cubic yard, or 1.4 tons, matching crushed gravel. Proper depth determines the result. With less than 2 inches, the ground becomes visible; beyond 3 inches, feet sink as if in dry beach sand. This calculator converts measurements to tons and provides set depths for the only work outside the 2-3 inch range: play areas.
Turn measurements into tons
- For rectangular spaces, multiply length and width; for a round fire-pit border, measure the diameter.
- Use 2-3 inches where people walk; playground fall zones need 9-12 inches kept at depth.
- To get cubic yards, divide cubic feet by 27; multiply yards by 1.4 for tons.
Coverage amounts
| 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 |
Keep gravel contained
Pea gravel shifts because its stones are round, so a border keeps it contained. Position steel, aluminum, timber or paver edging an inch higher than the finished surface; a flush border allows gravel to escape over time. Beyond about 5% grades, rain and foot traffic can carry the stones downhill despite edging. Install a honeycomb stabilizing grid below the gravel on slopes, or use angular crushed stone that stays interlocked.
Pea gravel versus crushed gravel and river rock
Pea gravel is comfortable for bare feet, though it shifts around. Crushed walkway gravel stays put better on slopes but has sharper edges. River rock is larger and ornamental, suited to beds rather than walking areas. Pricing generally rises in that same sequence. A single yard may use each material: crushed gravel on a sloping side path, pea gravel near a fire pit, and river rock beside the foundation. Each material has a calculator here, making it easy to compare tonnage for one footprint in about a minute.
Practical project notes
- Patios: Keep chair legs from settling by laying 2 inches of compacted screenings first. Cover it with 2 to 3 inches of pea gravel.
- Play areas: For fall zones, maintain 9 to 12 inches and consult the equipment manual. One ton at 12 inches covers about 19 square feet, making the calculator more reliable than a visual estimate.
- Fire pits: Set the depth at 3 inches. The non-flammable stone helps rain drain away from the seating area overnight.
- Dog runs: Use a 2 to 3 inch layer. The rounded pieces are gentler on paws and rinse clean.
- Walkways: Level the surface with a rake twice yearly, then refresh the traffic path every couple of seasons using a bucket or two set aside.
Example calculation: a 12-foot fire-pit circle
For a circle measuring 12-foot across, the area is 113 square feet. At 3 inches, the calculation is 113 x 0.25 = 28 cubic feet = 1.05 cubic yards, or just below 1.5 tons. Buy the 1.5, then save the small remainder for the busy side next spring.
Pea gravel weights and measurements
What quantity of pea gravel is needed?
What area will one ton of pea gravel cover?
What is the weight of a yard of pea gravel?
What does pea gravel cost?
What exactly is pea gravel?
What depth is right for a pea gravel patio?
How deep should pea gravel go below a swing set?
For a walkway, pea gravel or crushed gravel?
Other calculators
Most patios need under two tons.
3/8 inch natural pea gravel, sold by the ton with free delivery.
