Pea gravel calculator for Mississippi
Plan 3/8 inch rounded-stone quantities for play spaces, paths, patios, and fire pits by the ton.
Enter your project dimensions
At 3/8 inch, pea gravel is rounded stone close to the size of a pea. It weighs 2,800 lb per cubic yard, or 1.4 tons, matching crushed gravel. Depth makes the difference: less than 2 inches leaves ground visible, while more than 3 inches shifts underfoot. Use this calculator to convert measurements to tons. The 2 to 3 inch range changes only for play areas.
Turn measurements into tons
- Find square footage by multiplying length and width, or use the diameter around a round fire pit.
- Use 2 to 3 inches for walking areas; maintain 9 to 12 inches in playground fall zones.
- Divide cubic feet by 27 for cubic yards, then multiply yards by 1.4 for 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 |
Keep it contained
Because pea gravel is round, it moves under use. A border that is missing or has settled is usually behind stone spreading. Set steel, aluminum, timber or paver edging an inch above the gravel surface to hold it in; flush edging allows stone to work its way over it during the season. Beyond about 5% grade, foot traffic and rain can still move gravel downhill. For slopes, install a honeycomb stabilizing grid below the gravel, or choose angular crushed stone that interlocks.
Pea gravel compared with crushed gravel and river rock
For comfortable bare feet around a fire pit, pea gravel is a common pick. Crushed walkway gravel has sharper pieces but holds together better on slopes. River rock is larger and used mainly in decorative beds, not walking areas. Pricing generally follows that sequence. A property can use crushed gravel on a sloping path, pea gravel at the fire pit and river rock beside the foundation. Compare the calculators here for the same footprint in about a minute.
Jobsite notes
- Patios: Start with 2 inches of compacted screenings to keep chair legs supported. Cover that layer with 2 to 3 inches of pea gravel.
- Play areas: Maintain 9 to 12 inches in the fall zone and follow the equipment manual. At 12 inches, each ton covers about 19 square feet, so use the calculator instead of estimating.
- Fire pits: Use 3 inches. The non-flammable stone lets water drain away from the seating area overnight.
- Dog runs: Spread 2 to 3 inches of rounded stone. It is gentler on paws and can be rinsed clean.
- Walkways: Level the gravel with a rake twice yearly. Every couple of seasons, use a saved bucket or two to refill the traffic line.
Example calculation: a 12-foot fire-pit circle
For a 12-foot diameter circle, the area is 113 square feet. At 3 inches: 113 x 0.25 = 28 cubic feet = 1.05 cubic yards, which is slightly under 1.5 tons. Order 1.5, then save the small extra amount for the busy side next spring.
Pea gravel measurements and weight
How much pea gravel is needed?
What coverage comes from a ton of pea gravel?
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What depth works 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 take less than two tons.
3/8 inch natural pea gravel sold by the ton, with free delivery.
