How Much Pea Gravel for 500 Square Feet?
How much pea gravel for 500 square feet depends on depth. At 3 inches you need about 4.63 cubic yards, roughly 6.5 tons at 1.4 tons per yard. Going to 4 inches raises it to 8.6 tons.
Volume and tonnage calculator →Pea gravel for 500 sq ft by depth
| Depth | Cubic yards | Tons | Tons +10% |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 in | 3.09 | 4.3 | 4.8 |
| 3 in | 4.63 | 6.5 | 7.1 |
| 4 in | 6.17 | 8.6 | 9.5 |
Working it out
- 500 sq ft × (3 ÷ 12) ft = 125.0 cubic feet.
- ÷ 27 = 4.63 cubic yards.
- × 1.4 tons per yard = 6.5 tons.
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. Typical weight: 1.3 to 1.5 tons per cubic yard.
Ordering checklist
- 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.
Good and poor uses for pea gravel
Works well for:
- 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 15x30 area at 4 inches takes about 7.8 tons.
- Weight used here: about 1.4 tons per cubic yard.
Common estimating mistakes
- Skipping drainage. Water sitting under any surface softens the base and leads to ruts and potholes.
- Forgetting that compaction shrinks loose material. A loose 4-inch spread of a dense-graded stone may finish closer to 3 inches after rolling.
- Using inches as if they were feet. Depth has to be divided by 12 before you multiply; skipping that step inflates the order twelvefold.
- Assuming every supplier uses the same weight. Two yards selling the same product name can quote different tons per yard.
Questions people ask
How many tons of pea gravel for 500 square feet?
About 6.5 tons at 3 inches deep.
How many cubic yards of pea gravel for 500 square feet?
About 4.63 yards at 3 inches.
How much pea gravel for 500 square feet at 2 inches?
About 4.3 tons, or 3.09 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 300 Square Feet?
- How Much Pea Gravel for 400 Square Feet?
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