Pool Deck Gravel - Material Guide
Picking the right gravel for a pool deck gravel project? This guide covers the materials that fit best, how much you need, and what it costs delivered.
A solid pool deck gravel job comes down to three things: the right stone size, the right depth, and a base that drains. Get those right and the surface lasts 15 years before it needs a real top-up. Cut corners on any of them and you will be back out there with a rake inside two seasons. The numbers below come from real delivered jobs across our service area, not catalog specs.
Best materials for pool deck gravel
What pool deck gravel needs in a material
- Size and shape: 3/8 inch smooth, rounded stone, bare-foot safe.
- Drainage: fast, clears splash water within minutes.
- Compaction: light, kept loose for cool surface feel.
The three specs above drive every other choice on a pool deck gravel job. Order the wrong size and the surface fails fast. Pick a material that drains the wrong way and you fight standing water or washouts. Get these right and the install steps below take care of the rest.
How to install pool deck gravel
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1
Prep the perimeter
Excavate 4 inches around the deck edge, slope away from the pool shell.
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2
Set the base
Place 2 inches of paver base, compact firmly.
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3
Spread rounded gravel
Add 2 inches of smooth pea gravel, no sharp edges for bare feet.
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4
Rake and seat
Rake to depth, hose down to seat the stone into the base.
How much pool deck gravel material do you need
| Project size | 3 inch depth | 4 inch depth |
|---|---|---|
| 100 sq ft | 0.9 cu yd / 1.3 tons | 1.2 cu yd / 1.7 tons |
| 300 sq ft | 2.8 cu yd / 3.9 tons | 3.7 cu yd / 5.2 tons |
| 600 sq ft | 5.6 cu yd / 7.8 tons | 7.4 cu yd / 10.4 tons |
Quantities above assume crushed stone at roughly 1.4 tons per cubic yard. Pea gravel and river rock run a bit lighter, decomposed granite a bit denser. Add 10 percent waste for irregular shapes and edge losses.
What pool deck gravel costs in 2026
| Region | Delivered per ton | Typical 300 sq ft project |
|---|---|---|
| Northeast | $53 to $90 | $186 to $315 |
| Midwest | $40 to $70 | $140 to $245 |
| South | $38 to $68 | $133 to $238 |
| West | $60 to $110 | $210 to $385 |
Prices below are delivered per ton, full truck loads, 2026 service area pricing. Add 8 to 15 percent for half-loads under 12 tons and add fuel surcharges in volatile diesel markets. Bag drops and small-yard deliveries run higher per ton than the table shows.
Pool Deck Gravel mistakes to avoid
- Sharp angular stone near a pool, which cuts feet and scratches liners.
- Skipping the compacted base, so the deck stone wanders.
- No slope away from the pool, so chlorinated water pools at the shell.
- Dark colored stone that holds heat and burns bare feet.