Pea gravel calculator for South Dakota
Plan patios, paths, fire pits, and play areas using tons of 3/8 inch rounded stone.
Enter your project dimensions
Pea gravel consists of 3/8 inch rounded stone about the size its name implies. Though it feels soft underfoot, it weighs 2,800 lb per cubic yard, or 1.4 tons, matching crushed gravel. Proper depth matters. At less than 2 inches, the ground may show through. More than 3 inches can make each step feel like walking in dry beach sand. Use this calculator to convert measurements into tons, with set depths for the two applications outside the 2 to 3 inch range: play areas and nothing else.
Turn measurements into tons
- Find the area by multiplying length and width. For a circular fire-pit surround, use its diameter.
- For walking surfaces, use 2 to 3 inches. Playground fall zones need a maintained depth of 9 to 12 inches.
- For cubic yards, divide cubic feet by 27. Multiply yards × 1.4 to get tons.
Material coverage
| 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 |
A solid edge matters
Pea gravel moves because its stones are round. When stone spreads outside the area, the border is often missing or has settled too low. Keep it contained with steel, aluminum, timber or paver edging positioned an inch above the surface. A flush border lets gravel work its way out over a season. At grades greater than about 5%, rain and foot traffic can still carry stone downhill. For slopes, install a honeycomb stabilizing grid below the gravel, or use angular crushed stone that holds together.
Pea gravel compared with crushed gravel and river rock
Pea gravel is comfortable for bare feet and easy to shift around. Crushed gravel for walkways interlocks and handles slopes, though its edges are sharper. River rock is larger and decorative, suited to landscape beds instead of walking areas. Pricing generally follows that progression. A property may use each one: crushed gravel on a sloped path, pea gravel at a fire pit, and river rock beside a foundation. Use the calculators here to compare tonnage for an identical area in about a minute.
Notes for common projects
- Patios: Start with 2 inches of compacted screenings so chair legs stay supported. Finish with 2 to 3 inches of pea gravel.
- Play areas: Maintain 9 to 12 inches for the standard fall-zone depth, and review the equipment manual. At 12 inches, a ton covers only about 19 square feet, so use the calculator instead of estimating by sight.
- Fire pits: Set the depth at 3 inches. This non-flammable stone lets rain drain away from the seating area overnight.
- Dog runs: Use 2 to 3 inches. Rounded stone is gentle on paws and washes clean.
- Walkways: Smooth the surface with a rake twice yearly. Save a bucket or two to replenish the traffic line every couple of seasons.
Example calculation: a 12-foot fire-pit circle
A 12-foot circle has 113 square feet of area. For 3 inches: 113 x 0.25 = 28 cubic feet = 1.05 cubic yards, a little below 1.5 tons. Order 1.5 and save the small excess for the busy edge next spring.
Pea gravel weights and quantities
What quantity of pea gravel is needed?
What area will one ton of pea gravel cover?
What does a yard of pea gravel weigh?
What is the cost of pea gravel?
What does pea gravel consist of?
What depth is right for a pea gravel patio?
How much pea gravel belongs below a swing set?
For a walkway, choose pea gravel or crushed gravel?
Other calculators
Most patios require less than two tons.
3/8 inch natural pea gravel is sold by the ton, with free delivery.
