How Much Pebble Do I Need? A Simple Coverage Guide
· 4 min read
Area times depth gives you volume. Here is how to measure properly, what depth to use, and what to send us so we can quote accurately.
Step 1: measure the area
Measure length and width in metres and multiply. For irregular beds, break the shape into rectangles and circles, work each out separately and add them up. A rough sketch with dimensions is more useful than a single 'about 20 feet' estimate.
Step 2: choose a depth
Depth is what people get wrong. Too shallow and the fabric or soil shows through; too deep and you have wasted money and made the surface unstable to walk on.
- Decorative ground cover in beds: around 40–50 mm
- Pot and planter top dressing: around 15–25 mm
- Pathways: around 40–50 mm of surface stone over a compacted base
- Driveways: more, and over a properly engineered sub-base
Step 3: convert to volume
Volume in cubic metres = area in square metres × depth in metres. A 10 m² bed at 50 mm depth is 10 × 0.05 = 0.5 cubic metres of stone.
Converting cubic metres to weight depends on the stone type, grade and how tightly it packs, so rather than publish a single conversion figure that would be wrong for half our products, we work out the tonnage against the specific product you are ordering.
Step 4: add a margin
Order slightly more than the calculation suggests. Stone settles into the soil, edges need a little extra, and natural stone shade varies between batches — so topping up six months later may not match. A modest surplus kept aside is cheaper than a second order that does not match.
Send us your measurements, the depth you want and your delivery location, and we will confirm the quantity and quote it.
Frequently asked questions
- How deep should decorative pebbles be laid?
- Around 40–50 mm for garden beds and ground cover. Less than that and the base shows through; much more is wasteful and unstable underfoot.
- How many kilograms of pebble is one square metre?
- It depends on the stone type, grade and packing density, so we calculate it against the specific product rather than quoting one universal figure.