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How Much Pea Gravel Under a 16x16 Deck?

How much pea gravel under a 16x16 deck: about 3.3 tons at 3 inches deep. The area is 256 square feet, which is 2.37 cubic yards at that depth.

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The math

  1. Area: 256.0 sq ft.
  2. Depth in feet: 3 ÷ 12 = 0.250 ft.
  3. Cubic yards: 256.0 × 0.250 ÷ 27 = 2.37 yd³.
  4. Tons: × about 1.4 tons per yard = 3.3 tons.

The gravel calculator does this for any size.

Pea gravel needed by depth

DepthCubic yardsTons of pea gravelTons +10%
2 in1.582.22.4
3 in2.373.33.7
4 in3.164.44.9
6 in4.746.67.3

Stone for a deck

Under a deck, stone is a weed and moisture barrier rather than a structural layer. Slope the soil away from the house, lay fabric and spread 2 to 3 inches of washed stone that drains quickly.

Prep

Remove sod and roots, level the area and slope it slightly for drainage. Install edging so the stone stays inside the footprint.

Getting it delivered

Most quarries and landscape yards deliver by the ton; ask whether there is a minimum and a delivery fee, and where the driver can dump without damaging your lawn. Pea gravel is small and rounded, comfortable underfoot, and needs edging because it rolls. Round up by about 10 percent for compaction and uneven ground.

Planning the cost

Stone is usually priced per ton or per cubic yard, and delivery is often a separate charge based on distance. A full truckload can cost less per ton than a partial one, so it can pay to combine projects. Ask whether the quote includes tax, delivery and any small-load fee before you compare yards.

Measuring the area

Use a long tape and measure each side twice. If the ground slopes, measure depth at the high and low ends and average them. Irregular outlines can be broken into simple rectangles, triangles and circles; add the pieces for the total square footage before converting to tons.

Questions people ask

How many tons of pea gravel under a 16x16 deck?

About 3.3 tons at 3 inches deep.

How many yards of pea gravel under a 16x16 deck?

About 2.37 cubic yards.

How many tons of pea gravel are in a cubic yard?

Roughly 1.4 tons for planning, but suppliers vary with stone size and moisture.

Should I put landscape fabric under the stone?

On soft or clay soil, a woven geotextile keeps stone from sinking into the dirt and makes the layer last longer.

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