To determine how much pea gravel you need, follow these steps:

1. Measure Your Area

• Measure the length and width of the area you want to cover with pea gravel.
• Convert all measurements to consistent units (feet or meters).

2. Decide on the Depth

• Typical pea gravel depth ranges from 2 to 4 inches (about 0.17 to 0.33 feet).
• Choose the depth based on your project needs (pathway, drainage, etc.).

3. Calculate Volume

• Use the formula:

Volume=Length×Width×Depth\text{Volume}=\text{Length}\times \text{Width}\times \text{Depth}Volume=Length×Width×Depth

• This will give you the volume in cubic feet or cubic meters.

4. Convert Volume to Weight or Bags

• Pea gravel density is approximately 96 lb/ft³ (varies by source).
• Multiply volume by density to get weight in pounds or tons.
• Alternatively, convert volume to cubic yards (1 cubic yard = 27 cubic feet).
• Use bag weight information if buying in bags (e.g., 20 kg per bag).

Example

For a path 30 feet long, 10 feet wide, and 3 inches deep (0.25 feet):

• Volume = 30 × 10 × 0.25 = 75 cubic feet
• Weight = 75 × 96 lb = 7,200 lb (3.6 tons approx.)

You would need about 3.6 tons of pea gravel for this project

Additional Tips

• Use an online pea gravel calculator for convenience and accuracy.
• Account for any irregular shapes by dividing the area into rectangles and summing volumes.
• Consider ordering slightly more gravel than calculated to allow for compaction and settling.

This method ensures you buy enough pea gravel without excessive waste or shortage.