How Much Pea Gravel for 1,000 Square Feet?
How much pea gravel for 1,000 square feet depends on depth. At 3 inches you need about 9.26 cubic yards, roughly 13.0 tons at 1.4 tons per yard. Going to 4 inches raises it to 17.3 tons.
Volume and tonnage calculator →Pea gravel for 1,000 sq ft by depth
| Depth | Cubic yards | Tons | Tons +10% |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 in | 6.17 | 8.6 | 9.5 |
| 3 in | 9.26 | 13.0 | 14.3 |
| 4 in | 12.35 | 17.3 | 19.0 |
Working it out
- 1,000 sq ft × (3 ÷ 12) ft = 250.0 cubic feet.
- ÷ 27 = 9.26 cubic yards.
- × 1.4 tons per yard = 13.0 tons.
About pea gravel
Because pea gravel is round, it never fully locks. Keep depths modest on walkways and patios so it does not feel like walking on a beach, and use edging. Expect the weight to fall in the range of 1.3 to 1.5 tons per yard.
Before the truck comes
- Measure odd shapes in pieces. Split curves and L-shapes into rectangles and add them.
- Add a margin. About 10 percent covers compaction and low spots.
- Bulk or bags. Bulk delivery is the practical choice here.
- Prep first. Remove sod, compact the subgrade and set edging before the stone arrives.
Use the volume and tonnage calculator for any other size.
Where pea gravel fits
Good uses:
- Patios, walkways and dog runs
- Play areas with proper depth and edging
- Drainage around foundations when sized properly
Less suited to:
- 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 8x16 area at 3 inches takes about 1.7 tons.
- Weight used here: about 1.4 tons per cubic yard.
Common estimating mistakes
- Ordering exactly the math. Uneven ground and spillage nearly always need a little more than the flat calculation.
- Forgetting that compaction shrinks loose material. A loose 4-inch spread of a dense-graded stone may finish closer to 3 inches after rolling.
- Skipping drainage. Water sitting under any surface softens the base and leads to ruts and potholes.
- Mixing up cubic yards and tons. Yards are volume, tons are weight; convert with the product’s weight per yard.
Questions people ask
How many tons of pea gravel for 1,000 square feet?
About 13.0 tons at 3 inches deep.
How many cubic yards of pea gravel for 1,000 square feet?
About 9.26 yards at 3 inches.
How much pea gravel for 1,000 square feet at 2 inches?
About 8.6 tons, or 6.17 cubic yards.
How much does a yard of pea gravel weigh?
About 1.3 to 1.5 tons.
Should I add extra?
Yes, about 10 percent is a common allowance.
Related guides
- How Much Does a Ton of Gravel Cover? Depth Chart
- Tons to Cubic Yards for Gravel: Conversion Chart
- How Much Does a Ton of Gravel Cover? Depth Chart
- How Much Pea Gravel for 750 Square Feet?
- How Much Pea Gravel for 800 Square Feet?
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