Question 1

How many cubic yards of pea gravel do I need?

Accepted Answer

Volume (cu ft) = Length × Width × Depth (in inches ÷ 12). Divide by 27 to get cubic yards. Example: 10 ft × 10 ft × 2" deep = 10×10×(2/12) = 16.67 cu ft ÷ 27 = 0.62 cubic yards.

Question 2

How much does a ton of pea gravel cover?

Accepted Answer

1 ton of pea gravel (≈1.3 tons/yd³) covers approximately 100 sq ft at 2" deep, or 50 sq ft at 4" deep. Use the calculator above for exact numbers.

Question 3

How deep should pea gravel be for a path or playground?

Accepted Answer

For a garden path: 2–3 inches. For a playground safety surface: 6–12 inches deep (CPSC recommends 9" minimum under equipment up to 8 ft high). For decorative areas: 1–2 inches.

Question 4

How much does pea gravel cost?

Accepted Answer

Pea gravel costs $25–55 per ton bulk, or $5–8 per 50-lb bag. Delivery adds $50–150. For a 10×10 area at 2" deep you need about 0.8 tons — roughly $20–44 plus delivery.

Question 5

Does pea gravel need edging?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Pea gravel migrates easily because it is round and smooth. Install plastic or metal landscape edging, or use wood/brick borders. Without edging, gravel spreads into lawn and garden beds within one season.

Use	Recommended Depth	Notes
Decorative border	1–2 inches	Mainly for looks, minimal function
Garden path	2–3 inches	Use landscape fabric underneath
Pet area / dog run	3–4 inches	Easier on paws than crushed stone
Driveway (not recommended)	4+ inches	Pea gravel shifts; use crushed stone for driveways
Playground safety surface	9–12 inches	CPSC standard for equipment up to 8 ft high

Feature	Pea Gravel	Crushed Stone
Shape	Round, smooth	Angular, jagged
Compaction	Does not compact	Compacts well
Drainage	Excellent	Good
Best use	Paths, playgrounds, decor	Driveways, bases, patios
Cost	$25–55/ton	$20–45/ton

Pea Gravel Calculator

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Pea Gravel vs. Crushed Stone

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