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How Much Pea Gravel for a 14x14 Patio?

How much pea gravel for a 14x14 patio: at 3 inches deep you need about 1.81 cubic yards, which is roughly 2.5 tons at 1.4 tons per yard. The patio covers 196 square feet, so every inch of depth adds about 0.60 yards.

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The math for a 14x14 patio

  1. Area: 14 × 14 = 196 sq ft.
  2. Depth in feet: 3 ÷ 12 = 0.250 ft.
  3. Cubic feet: 196 × 0.250 = 49.0 cu ft.
  4. Cubic yards: ÷ 27 = 1.81 yd³.
  5. Tons: × 1.4 = 2.5 tons.

The volume and tonnage calculator does this for any size.

Pea gravel needed by depth

DepthCubic yardsTons (approx.)Tons +10%
2 in1.211.71.9
3 in1.812.52.8
4 in2.423.43.7

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. If the yard sells by the cubic yard instead of the ton, use the cubic-yard column directly.

Preparing the patio

Remove sod, level the area with a slight slope away from the house, and lay landscape fabric if weeds are a concern. Edging keeps loose material inside the patio footprint. Since the patio carries foot traffic and furniture, a little extra depth is cheap insurance.

Ordering tips

  • Round up. Compaction and uneven ground eat material. Adding about 10 percent is common.
  • Delivery size. 2.8 tons fits in a single typical dump truck load; small loads may carry a delivery fee. See how many tons of gravel in a dump truck.
  • Bulk vs bags. At this size bulk delivery is usually the practical choice.
  • Where it drops. Have the truck dump as close to the patio as firm ground allows.

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

Think twice 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 20x25 area at 2 inches takes about 4.3 tons.
  • Weight used here: about 1.4 tons per cubic yard.

Mistakes that throw off the order

  • Measuring only the main rectangle. Aprons, turnouts and curved edges add real square footage.
  • Assuming every supplier uses the same weight. Two yards selling the same product name can quote different tons per yard.
  • Ignoring the base. A thin surface layer over soft soil fails early no matter how much material is on top.
  • Forgetting that compaction shrinks loose material. A loose 4-inch spread of a dense-graded stone may finish closer to 3 inches after rolling.

Questions people ask

How many tons of pea gravel for a 14x14 patio?

About 2.5 tons at 3 inches deep, or 2.8 tons with 10 percent extra.

How many cubic yards is a 14x14 patio at 3 inches?

About 1.81 cubic yards.

How much does a cubic yard of pea gravel weigh?

Usually around 1.3 to 1.5 tons, depending on stone size, fines and moisture.

How deep should pea gravel be for a patio?

The table above shows 2 to 4 inches. Shallower depths suit top dressing; deeper depths suit new installs and heavier use.

How many square feet is 14x14?

196 square feet.

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