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How Much Pea Gravel for a 20 Foot Circle?

How much pea gravel for a 20 foot circle: about 4.1 tons at 3 inches deep. A circle 20 feet across covers about 314.2 square feet (3.1416 × 10²).

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The math

  1. Area: 314.2 sq ft.
  2. Depth in feet: 3 ÷ 12 = 0.250 ft.
  3. Cubic yards: 314.2 × 0.250 ÷ 27 = 2.91 yd³.
  4. Tons: × about 1.4 tons per yard = 4.1 tons.

The gravel calculator does this for any size.

Pea gravel needed by depth

DepthCubic yardsTons of pea gravelTons +10%
2 in1.942.73.0
3 in2.914.14.5
4 in3.885.46.0
6 in5.828.19.0

Using a circle of stone

Circles show up around fire pits, under swing sets, around trees and as seating areas. Steel or paver edging keeps the round shape crisp and holds loose stone in place. Rake the stone level after spreading and add a thin top-up after the first season.

Getting it delivered

Small dump trucks commonly carry around 5 to 10 tons and tri-axles more, but loads vary by truck and state, so ask the yard what fits in one trip. Pea gravel is small and rounded, comfortable underfoot, and needs edging because it rolls. Ask your supplier for their own tons-per-yard number, since stone source and moisture change it.

Measuring the area

Measure length and width in feet at a few points and use the largest figures, since real sites are rarely square. For odd shapes, split the area into rectangles and circles, work out each one and add them together. Depth is the number most people underestimate: drive a stake, run a level string and measure down to the dug-out surface in several spots.

Planning the cost

Quarries and landscape suppliers set their own prices, and they change by region and season. Get the price per ton, the delivery fee and the minimum order. If two products will both work, compare cost per square foot at your depth rather than cost per ton.

Questions people ask

How many tons of pea gravel for a 20 ft circle?

About 4.1 tons at 3 inches deep.

How many square feet is a 20 foot circle?

About 314.2 square feet.

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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