Calculate cubic yards, tons, and cost for any patio size and gravel type. Get material-specific depth recommendations instantly — free, no signup.
Select your patio shape and gravel type for an accurate estimate with depth recommendations.
Depth is the most important decision after choosing your gravel type. Too shallow and gravel migrates into thin patches, weeds push through, and furniture feels unstable. Too deep and costs rise without functional benefit. The right depth depends on how you'll use the patio and which material you chose.
| Gravel Type / Use Case | Recommended Depth | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Pea gravel — casual patio | 3–4 inches | Creates comfortable cushion; suppresses weeds well |
| Crushed stone — permanent patio | 4–6 inches | Compacts to stable, firm surface; handles heavy furniture |
| Decomposed granite | 3–5 inches | Compacts to near-solid surface; natural appearance |
| River rock — decorative patio | 3–4 inches | Decorative layer; add edging to prevent scattering |
| Heavy-use / entertaining patio | 5–6 inches | Extra depth handles constant foot traffic and furniture |
| Top-up over existing gravel | 1–2 inches | Refresh settled surface without full reinstallation |
Why depth matters for patios specifically:
Use this chart to quickly estimate how much area 1 ton of gravel covers at various depths. Figures assume standard pea gravel at 1.35 tons per cubic yard.
| Depth | Coverage per Ton | Coverage per Cubic Yard | Patio Size at This Depth |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 inches | 100–120 sq ft | 162 sq ft | ~10×11 ft per ton |
| 3 inches | 70–80 sq ft | 108 sq ft | ~8×9 ft per ton |
| 4 inches | 50–60 sq ft | 81 sq ft | ~7×8 ft per ton |
| 5 inches | 40–50 sq ft | 65 sq ft | ~6×8 ft per ton |
| 6 inches | 35–40 sq ft | 54 sq ft | ~6×7 ft per ton |
At 3 inches deep: 0.93 cubic yards → ~1.3 tons of pea gravel → order 1.4 tons (+10% waste)
At 4 inches deep: 1.23 cubic yards → ~1.7 tons → order 1.9 tons (+10% waste)
At 6 inches deep: 1.85 cubic yards → ~2.6 tons → order 2.9 tons (+10% waste)
Each gravel type has a different feel, appearance, stability level, and price point. Choose based on how you plan to use the patio and how much maintenance you're willing to do.
The patio gravel calculator above handles all four steps automatically. Here's the manual process for verifying results or estimating custom shapes.
Measure length and width in feet for rectangular patios. For circular patios, measure the diameter. For irregular shapes, approximate with the nearest rectangle, then subtract any areas you're leaving out (e.g., a fire pit, raised bed, or fixed stepping stones).
Rectangle area = Length × Width Circle area = π × (diameter ÷ 2)²
Use the material recommendations: pea gravel 3–4 in, crushed stone 4–6 in, decomposed granite 3–5 in. Convert inches to feet by dividing by 12 for the calculation.
4 inches → 0.333 ft 3 inches → 0.25 ft
Multiply area by depth to get cubic feet. Divide by 27 to convert to cubic yards — the standard unit for bulk ordering.
Cubic yards = (Length × Width × Depth in ft) ÷ 27
Multiply cubic yards by the material density (1.35 for pea gravel; 1.4 for crushed stone). Add 10% for edges, uneven ground, and settling.
Tons = Cubic yards × density
Order qty = Tons × 1.10
Step 1: Area = 16 × 16 = 256 sq ft
Step 2: Depth = 4 ÷ 12 = 0.333 ft
Step 3: Volume = 256 × 0.333 ÷ 27 = 3.16 cubic yards
Step 4: Tons = 3.16 × 1.35 = 4.27 → order 4.7 tons (+10% waste)
Gravel patios are one of the most affordable outdoor living projects. Material costs are modest; the bulk of the budget for DIY projects goes to edging, landscape fabric, and tools.
Most affordable patio gravel. A 256 sq ft patio at 4 inches needs ~4.5 tons → $135–$270 in material, plus $100 delivery.
Cheapest patio material per ton. A 256 sq ft patio at 5 inches needs ~5.5 tons → $110–$275 in material.
Premium pricing for a high-end look. Compacts to a firm surface that requires less maintenance than loose gravel.
Most decorative option. Best for statement patios. Reserve for visible, low-traffic areas rather than high-use entertaining spaces.
| Cost Item | DIY Cost | Installed Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Gravel material (200 sq ft) | $80–$200 | $80–$200 |
| Delivery fee | $50–$150 | Included |
| Landscape fabric | $20–$60 | Included |
| Edging / border | $40–$200 | Included |
| Labor | $0 (DIY) | $200–$600 |
| Total (200 sq ft) | $200–$600 | $400–$1,200 |
A 10×10 ft patio (100 sq ft) requires approximately 1.2 cubic yards or 1.7 tons of pea gravel at 4 inches deep. At 3 inches: 0.93 yd³ / 1.3 tons. At 6 inches: 1.85 yd³ / 2.6 tons. Add 10% for waste. Use the patio gravel calculator above to enter your exact dimensions for an instant, precise estimate.
Recommended depths: pea gravel 3–4 inches, crushed stone 4–6 inches, decomposed granite 3–5 inches. The minimum depth for effective weed suppression is 3 inches. For heavy-use entertaining patios, 5–6 inches provides better stability and a longer time before top-up is needed. Gravel compacts about 15–25% during the first year, so starting deeper pays off over time.
Yes — pea gravel is the most popular patio gravel for homeowners. It is comfortable barefoot, affordable ($30–60/ton), drains well, and looks naturally attractive. The main challenge is that smooth, rounded pea gravel migrates over time. Use solid metal or plastic edging to contain it, install landscape fabric underneath, and plan for annual raking to redistribute. Setting furniture legs on pavers within the pea gravel prevents furniture from sinking.
A gravel patio costs $200–$800 total for a typical 200–400 sq ft DIY project, including materials, landscape fabric, edging, and delivery. Professionally installed gravel patios run $4–$10 per square foot — a 200 sq ft patio costs $800–$2,000 installed. Gravel patios are 3–5× less expensive than concrete or paver patios of the same size. See the gravel cost guide for a full breakdown.
Use the formula: (Length × Width × Depth in ft) ÷ 27 × density = tons. For pea gravel (density 1.35), a 200 sq ft patio at 4 inches = (200 × 0.333) ÷ 27 × 1.35 = 3.3 tons. Add 10% for waste: order 3.6 tons. The patio gravel calculator above calculates this instantly once you enter your dimensions.
Yes — landscape fabric is strongly recommended under all patio gravel. Without it, weeds push through gravel within one growing season, making removal and reinstallation necessary. Use woven geotextile fabric (not solid plastic sheeting, which traps water and can cause drainage problems). Overlap edges by at least 6 inches, stake every 12–18 inches, and fold edges up behind any edging. A $30–$60 roll of good fabric prevents years of weed management headaches.