Coverage by depth
Area (sq ft) = cubic feet ÷ (depth in inches ÷ 12). One cubic yard is 27 cubic feet.
| Depth | 1 ton covers (sq ft) | 1 cu yd covers (sq ft) | 1 ton covers (m²) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 in | 249 | 324 | 23.2 |
| 2 in | 125 | 162 | 11.6 |
| 3 in | 83 | 108 | 7.7 |
| 4 in | 62 | 81 | 5.8 |
| 6 in | 42 | 54 | 3.9 |
| 8 in | 31 | 40 | 2.9 |
| 12 in | 21 | 27 | 1.9 |
Ton figures use 1.30 tons per cubic yard of pea gravel.
Plan for settling
Hello Gravel suggests 2 to 3 inches of pea gravel for light-traffic paths. Loose material settles once it is walked on or compacted, so order a little more than the bare volume. Rochester Concrete Products' install guide adds 10% for compaction and uneven ground.
Common questions
How much does a ton of pea gravel cover at 2 inches?
About 125 sq ft.
How much does a yard of pea gravel cover at 3 inches?
About 108 sq ft. One cubic yard covers 108 sq ft at 3 inches whatever the material.
How deep should pea gravel be?
Hello Gravel suggests 2 to 3 inches of pea gravel for light-traffic paths.
Sources
- https://hellogravel.com/guides/2025-gravel-prices-per-ton-delivered-cost-calculator-and-regional-rates/
- https://hellogravel.com/guides/how-much-aggregate-do-i-need-for-a-garden-path/
- https://rochestercp.com/resources/installation-manuals/installation-manual-vintage-6.pdf