How Much Does 26 Tons of Pea Gravel Cover?
How much does 26 tons of pea gravel cover depends on how deep you spread it. At about 1.4 tons per cubic yard, 26 tons is roughly 18.6 cubic yards. Spread 3 inches deep, that covers about 2,006 square feet. Go thinner and it covers more; go deeper and it covers less.
Volume and tonnage calculator →How the coverage is figured
- Tons to cubic yards: 26 ÷ 1.4 = 18.6 yd³.
- Cubic yards to cubic feet: × 27 = 501 cu ft.
- Divide by depth in feet: at 3 inches (0.250 ft), 501 ÷ 0.250 = 2,006 sq ft.
Coverage of 26 tons at different depths
| Depth | Square feet covered | Square yards |
|---|---|---|
| 2 in | 3,009 | 334 |
| 3 in | 2,006 | 223 |
| 4 in | 1,504 | 167 |
About pea gravel
Pea gravel is small, rounded stone, usually around 3/8 inch. It is comfortable to walk on and drains well, but it shifts under car tires and needs a solid edge to stay put. Weight runs about 1.3 to 1.5 tons per cubic yard, so treat the table as a planning range rather than an exact figure.
Putting 26 tons to use
For delivery, 26 tons means multiple trips or a larger truck. Ask the supplier how they will split it. Spread from the pile with a loader, skid steer or wheelbarrow, then rake to depth before compacting if the material calls for it.
- Check depth as you go. Stakes marked at the target depth help keep the spread even.
- Expect some loss. Compaction and uneven ground use more than the flat-math figure. Keep about 10 percent in reserve.
- Ask about moisture. Wet material weighs more, so a ton of it covers less.
To run your own numbers, use the volume and tonnage calculator.
When to choose pea gravel
Works well for:
- Patios, walkways and dog runs
- Play areas with proper depth and edging
- Drainage around foundations when sized properly
Poor fit for:
- Driveways and steep paths, where it rolls and ruts
- Under pavers as a base
- Areas without edging
Quick reference numbers
- Per inch over 100 sq ft: about 0.43 tons of pea gravel (0.31 cubic yards).
- Per inch over 1,000 sq ft: about 4.3 tons.
- Another size for comparison: a 10x20 area at 3 inches takes about 2.6 tons.
- Weight used here: about 1.4 tons per cubic yard.
Common estimating mistakes
- Measuring only the main rectangle. Aprons, turnouts and curved edges add real square footage.
- Mixing up cubic yards and tons. Yards are volume, tons are weight; convert with the product’s weight per yard.
- Ordering exactly the math. Uneven ground and spillage nearly always need a little more than the flat calculation.
- Using inches as if they were feet. Depth has to be divided by 12 before you multiply; skipping that step inflates the order twelvefold.
Questions people ask
How many cubic yards is 26 tons of pea gravel?
About 18.6 cubic yards at 1.4 tons per yard.
How many square feet does 26 tons of pea gravel cover at 3 inches?
About 2,006 square feet.
How many square feet does 26 tons cover at 2 inches?
About 3,009 square feet.
How much does a yard of pea gravel weigh?
About 1.3 to 1.5 tons.
Will 26 tons fit in one truck?
It depends on the truck. Single-axle dump trucks often carry under 10 tons and tandems around 13 to 16; your supplier will know their limits.
Related guides
- How Much Does a Ton of Gravel Cover? Depth Chart
- Tons to Cubic Yards for Gravel: Conversion Chart
- How Many Tons of Gravel in a Dump Truck? Loads and Coverage
- How Much Does 24 Tons of Pea Gravel Cover?
- How Much Does 25 Tons of Pea Gravel Cover?
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