How Much Pea Gravel for an 18 Foot Circle?
Round areas such as fire pit patios, tree rings and seating circles use less stone than a square of the same width. An 18-foot circle is about 254.5 square feet; at 3 inches that is 3.3 tons of pea gravel.
Volume and tonnage calculator →The math
- Area: 254.5 sq ft.
- Depth in feet: 3 ÷ 12 = 0.250 ft.
- Cubic yards: 254.5 × 0.250 ÷ 27 = 2.36 yd³.
- Tons: × about 1.4 tons per yard = 3.3 tons.
The gravel calculator does this for any size.
Related: How Much Gravel for an 18 Foot Circle?
Pea gravel needed by depth
| Depth | Cubic yards | Tons of pea gravel | Tons +10% |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 in | 1.57 | 2.2 | 2.4 |
| 3 in | 2.36 | 3.3 | 3.6 |
| 4 in | 3.14 | 4.4 | 4.8 |
| 6 in | 4.71 | 6.6 | 7.3 |
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. For a fire pit area, keep combustibles well away and check local burn rules.
Related: How Much Crushed Stone for an 18 Foot Circle?
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.
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 for an 18 ft circle?
About 3.3 tons at 3 inches deep.
How many square feet is an 18 foot circle?
About 254.5 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.
Do I need to compact it?
Yes for anything that carries weight. Compact in lifts of a few inches with a plate compactor.
Related guides
- Gravel for a Fire Pit Area: Best Types and Depth
- How Much Does a Ton of Gravel Cover? Depth Chart
- Tons to Cubic Yards for Gravel: Conversion Chart
- Crushed Stone vs Gravel: Differences and Best Uses
- Geotextile Fabric for Driveways: Woven vs Nonwoven and How Much You Need
- Compacting a Driveway Gravel Base in Lifts
- How Much #57 Stone for a 16 Foot Circle?
- How Much Gravel for a 16 Foot Circle?
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