How to use it
- Enter length in feet.
- Enter width in feet.
- Enter depth in inches.
- Read cubic yards, tons, and cubic feet results.
What it does – The Pea Gravel Calculator turns the dimensions of your area (length, width, depth) into three practical measures: cubic yards, cubic feet, and approximate tons. Knowing the cubic yards tells you how many full‑size bags or loads to order; cubic feet is handy for comparing with other material specs; and the ton estimate helps you budget for delivery weight limits.
Why it matters – Ordering too little leaves gaps, ordering too much wastes money and space. With a quick, instant result you can plan accurately before you call a supplier.
How to read the results – The first number is total cubic yards of gravel needed. Multiply by 1.4 (the built‑in factor) to see the weight in US tons. The cubic‑feet figure is simply the yard value × 27, useful for cross‑checking.
Pro tips
- Add 5‑10% extra volume to cover settling and spillage.
- Round up to the nearest 0.1 cubic yard for ordering convenience.
- Order gravel by the ton only if the supplier charges by weight; otherwise use cubic yards.
- Double‑check depth conversion: inches ÷ 12 = feet before entering.
Real-life examples
- A homeowner landscaping a 12 ft × 15 ft patio with a 3‑inch gravel base.
- A contractor estimating pea gravel for a 200‑sq‑ft driveway with a 4‑inch depth.
- A DIY gardener filling a raised bed area of 8 ft × 10 ft to a 2‑inch depth.
Case study
Mike needed pea gravel for a 10 ft × 12 ft patio at 4 in depth. Using the calculator he saw he required 1.48 cubic yards (≈2.07 tons). He ordered 1.5 cubic yards, avoiding a costly over‑order and finished the patio on schedule.