How many tons is a cubic yard of pea gravel?
At 96 lb per cu ft, one cubic yard of pea gravel weighs 2,592 lb, which is 1.30 US tons. Wet or fine-mixed gravel can weigh more, so ask your supplier for the tons per yard of the load you buy.
Pea Gravel Calculator: Tons, Cubic Yards and 50-lb Bags
Enter the area and the depth of your pea gravel layer to get tons, cubic yards and 50-lb bags, with an allowance for settling. Pea gravel is lighter than crushed stone, which the calculator accounts for with its own density of 96 lb per cu ft.
1. Material Grade & Project Dimensions
Area: 144.0 sq ft (13.38 m²)Net Vol: 1.33 cu yd (1.02 m³)
2. Material Takeoff, Blueprint & Cost
Total Volume & Tonnage (incl. waste)
1.47 cu yd · 1.90 US tons
1.12 m³ · 1.72 t (3,802 lbs)
Total Material Weight
1.90 US tons
3,802 lbs (96 lb/ft³)
Store Bags (50-lb)
77 bags
39.6 cu ft (1,121 L)
Total Project Area (Net)
144.0 sq ft
13.4 m² (+10% Waste)
Half-Ton Pickup Truck Loads
3 trips
@ 1,500 lb safe bed payload
Cost Break-Even: Bulk Dump Truck vs. Store Bags
Bulk Delivery saves $227
Bulk Dump Truck (1.90 US tons + $85)
$188
77 × 50-lb Hardware Store Bags
$414
Show Step-by-Step Formula & Takeoff Math
Net Area = 144.00 sq ft (13.38 m²)
Net Volume = 36.00 cu ft ÷ 27 = 1.33 cu yd
With +10% Allowance = 1.47 cu yd (1.12 m³)
Weight = 39.60 cu ft × 96 lb/ft³ = 3,802 lbs = 1.90 US tons (1.72 t)
How much pea gravel do you need?
Pea gravel is small, rounded stone, about 3/8 in across, and the calculator weighs it at 96 lb per cu ft. One cubic yard is therefore 2,592 lb, or 1.30 US tons, and one ton fills 0.77 cu yd. Crushed #57 stone is slightly heavier at 100 lb per cu ft (1.35 tons per cu yd), so a ton of pea gravel covers a little more ground.
Example: a 12×12 ft patio with 3 in of pea gravel is 36 cu ft. With a 10% allowance for settling that is 1.47 cu yd, 1.90 US tons or 77 bags of 50 lb. Buying loose by the ton is far cheaper than bags for anything over a few bags, and the cost box shows both side by side.
Use about 2 in for garden paths and 3 to 4 in for patios, dog runs and play areas. Rounded stone shifts under weight, so edge the area, and lay it over landscape fabric and a compacted base. For driveways angular crushed stone holds better; see the driveway gravel calculator.
Pea gravel coverage by depth (before allowance)
| Depth | Area covered by 1 US ton | Area covered by 1 cu yd | 50-lb bags per 100 sq ft |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 in | 250 sq ft | 324 sq ft | 16 |
| 2 in | 125 sq ft | 162 sq ft | 32 |
| 3 in | 83 sq ft | 108 sq ft | 48 |
| 4 in | 63 sq ft | 81 sq ft | 64 |
Frequently Asked Questions & Field Guide
How much area does a ton of pea gravel cover?
One US ton covers 250 sq ft at 1 in, 125 sq ft at 2 in, 83 sq ft at 3 in and 63 sq ft at 4 in, before the settling allowance.
How many bags of pea gravel make a cubic yard?
A cubic yard weighs 2,592 lb, so it takes 52 bags of 50 lb. That is why a 12×12 ft patio at 3 in needs 77 bags and is better delivered loose.
How much pea gravel do I need for a 30-foot path?
A path 30×3 ft with 2 in of pea gravel needs 0.61 cu yd with the 10% allowance, which is 0.79 US tons or 32 bags of 50 lb.
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