Gravel Calculators
Patio Gravel Calculator
Estimate gravel for a gravel patio — surface layer, base layer, or both. Pre-set to pea gravel at 2½ inches; switch material and depth if your plan differs.
A note on this estimate
A separate compacted base, edging, and landscape fabric are not part of the quantity shown. Round stone migrates without edging, so the patio figures assume a border is containing the surface.
Last updated: 7 November 2026 · Report an error
Gravel patio: what to allow for
A patio is a surface people sit and walk on barefoot, which shapes the material choice: pea gravel for comfort, #57/#67 crushed stone when furniture needs to stay put. What a patio is not is a driveway — it carries people, not trucks, so a 2–3" surface over a modest base is the normal build, not 6" of layered stone.
Worked example: a 16 × 12 ft patio (192 ft²) with a 2½-inch pea gravel surface: 192 × 0.208 ft = 40 ft³ = 1.48 yd³ ≈ 2.2 tons ≈ 80 bags — a clear case for bulk delivery. Adding a 4-inch compacted #67 base underneath adds another 2.37 yd³ ≈ 3.2 tons (run that as a second calculation with crushed material).
Patio build-ups: surface is only the top layer
A gravel patio that stays flat is a small structure: excavated soil, a compacted stone base, and only then the decorative surface this calculator sizes. How much of that structure you need depends on the ground underneath and what the patio carries:
| Situation | Base (crusher run) | Surface | Surface material |
|---|---|---|---|
| Firm, free-draining ground, light use | 2–3 in | 2 in | Pea gravel or #67 |
| Average garden soil, dining furniture | 3–4 in | 2–3 in | Angular ⅜" crushed — chairs and table legs stay put |
| Soft or clay soil | 4–6 in over woven fabric | 2 in | Angular crushed stone |
| Fire-pit seating area | 4 in | 2–3 in | Any non-flush stone; keep depth even for chair legs |
Worked example: a 12 × 14 ft patio with a 3-inch pea gravel surface takes 168 ft² × 0.25 ft = 42 ft³ = 1.56 yd³ ≈ 2.31 tons of pea gravel — 84 standard bags, so bulk delivery wins easily — over a separate compacted base this page's figures don't include.
The furniture test is the material test. Round pea gravel is kind underfoot but chair legs sink and wander in it; angular crushed stone at ⅜" locks, holds furniture steady, and still drains. The most common patio failure is neither — it is surface stone laid straight onto soil with no base, which mixes into the mud within two winters and has to be dug out and done again.
Related tools & guides
Pea Gravel Calculator
Depth guidance and bag math for pea gravel projects.
Paver Base Calculator
For patios built with pavers rather than gravel surfaces.
Gravel Walkway Calculator
Paths use the same materials at narrower widths.
Gravel Cost Calculator
Price this patio at your supplier's rate.
Retaining Wall Gravel Calculator
Terraced patio? The backfill rules apply.
Shed Foundation Gravel Calculator
Same compaction logic for level pads.
Patio gravel FAQ
How deep should a gravel patio be?
A decorative gravel patio surface is typically 2–3 inches of pea gravel or crushed stone over a compacted base. For anything holding furniture or foot traffic regularly, build a 2–4 inch compacted crushed-stone base first, then the surface layer.
What is the best gravel for a patio?
Pea gravel is the most comfortable barefoot surface; compacted #57 or #67 crushed stone stays put better under furniture. Angular stone locks together and resists scattering; round pea gravel needs solid edging to stay in place.
Do I need a base under a gravel patio?
For a long-lasting patio, yes: excavate a few inches, lay landscape fabric, add and compact a crushed-stone base, then top with your surface gravel. A patio laid straight on soil develops dips and weeds within a season or two.