Home · Gravel calculator · Pea gravel patio

Pea gravel patio calculator

Prefills a 12×12 patio surface at 3″ with pea-gravel density (~1.35 ton/yd³). Adjust size, depth, and overage — then copy the order script for the yard. Structural base/subbase is a separate layer; this volume is the pea surface you enter.

Inputs

Scenarios fill US defaults. Overage ≠ compaction.

Scenario templates

Area mode

Length (ft)Width (ft)Depth (in)Surface course often 2–4 in; structural bases thicker — see recommended table.

Depth presets

Overage (edges / spillage) (%)Ordering cushion for edges and thin spots — often ~10%. Not a lab compaction target.Compaction allowance (optional) (%)Extra volume if you expect the loose lift to settle when compacted. Separate from overage. DOT 95% density needs field testing — this is only an order cushion.

Density (ton / yd³)Ask your yard for the product you are buying.

Combined order factor: ×1.1 (10% overage).

Tons per cubic yard — planning table

Material	ton / yd³	Note
Pea gravel	1.35	rounded decorative
River rock	1.3	varies by size
Crushed stone / #57	1.4	common driveway stone
Crusher run / dense grade	1.5	compacts tighter
Sand (planning)	1.35	ask yard for moisture
Limestone screenings	1.45	fines + rock

Click a row to apply. Moisture and gradation change real tickets — verify with the yard.

Also estimate bagsUseful for small patches; bulk is usually cheaper above ~⅓ yd³.Bag size (ft³)Home-center gravel bags are often 0.5 ft³.

Optional prices (your yard)

$/yd³$/tonDelivery

Payload capacity (ton / trip)

What you are covering

Volume ≈ length × width × depth (same unit system). Diagram is schematic — not a site survey.

Primary order quantity (overage)

1.5 yd³

Rounded to 0.25 yd · raw 1.47 yd³

2.03 ton

At 1.35 ton/yd³

Script is plain text for a yard call or lumber run — not a quote from YardBuild.

Breakdown

Area: 144 ft²
Without extras: 1.33 yd³; 36 ft³
Metric (with extras): 1.121 m³
Bags (0.5 ft³): 80 bags; Ceiled so you do not run short
Order factor: ×1.1; 10% overage
Tons (exact waste-adj.): 1.98 ton; Before round-up step

Order round-up step

Tip: if the yard sells by the ton, order the ton figure — ordering “2.7 tons” because you saw “2.7 yd³” leaves you short. Overage covers edges; compaction allowance is separate if you expect the loose pile to settle.

Truck / payload trips

Order weight: 2.03 ton
Trips: 3; At 1 ton/load

Compare scenarios

Same area — auto variants from current inputs.

Current

1.5 yd³

2.03 ton

LEAST VOLUME

Depth +1″

2 yd³

2.7 ton

No overage

1.5 yd³

2.03 ton

LEAST VOLUME

Worked example (12×12 @ 3″ pea)

12 × 12 × 0.25 = 36 ft³ ≈ 1.33 yd³. With 10% overage → about 1.47 yd³. At 1.35 ton/yd³ → about 1.98 ton. Call script: “About 1.5 cubic yards / ~2 tons of pea gravel for a 12×12 patio at 3 inches with 10% overage.”

More aggregate types and the full density table: gravel calculator. Driveway depth guidance: driveway gravel depth.

FAQ

How much pea gravel for a patio?

Measure length × width × depth. Patio surface courses are often about 2–3 inches of pea gravel over a compacted base (base is a separate volume). This page pre-fills pea-gravel density (~1.35 ton/yd³) — confirm with your yard’s ticket.

Pea gravel yards vs tons?

Volume is cubic yards; many yards bill by the ton. Tons ≈ yards × density. Pea gravel planning density here starts at 1.35 ton/yd³ — moisture and size change the real scale weight.

Related calculators

Mulch calculator

Buy-depth after existing, bags↔bulk ledger, multi-bed, coverage table.

Roof pitch calculator

X/12, degrees, % slope, rafter teaser, pitch compare.

Rafter calculator

Line length & angle — not IRC span-table design.

Deck stair calculator

Deck rise, treads, Standard/Flush mount, 3D stairs.

Stair stringer calculator

Stringer length + IRC R311.7 table on one screen.