How to use this calculator
- Measure the area. Length × width in feet. Round irregular paths up to the nearest rectangle.
- Pick a depth. 2 inches for a landscape accent layer, 3–4 inches for a path or patio, 6+ inches for French drain backfill.
- Read tons and yards. Both units are returned because suppliers sometimes price by the ton (delivery) and sometimes by the yard (self-haul).
- Plan delivery vs bags. Above 1.5 tons (about 1 yd³), bulk is cheaper. Below that, stick with bagged.
Formula
Cubic yards = (Length × Width × Depth in feet) ÷ 27
Worked example
A 4 ft × 30 ft pea-gravel path at 3 in deep needs 30 ft³ ÷ 27 = 1.1 yd³ = 1.4 tons of pea gravel. Add 10% waste → 1.6 tons. About 30 bags of 50 lb pea gravel, or one small bulk delivery.
Tips for accurate results
- Lay landscape fabric under pea gravel — without it, weeds push through within months.
- Edge with steel, plastic, or pavers; pea gravel migrates on smooth concrete borders.
- For walkable paths, choose the smaller ⅜" pea gravel — larger sizes are uncomfortable barefoot.
- Top-up every 2–3 years; pea gravel slowly works its way into the underlying soil.