Pea Gravel vs River Rock: Which Should You Use?

Pea gravel is small — typically 3/8 inch, pea-sized — rounded stone, usually mixed colors, and sold at a lower price point. It's a common choice for pathways, playgrounds, and loose ground cover because it's comfortable to walk on and drains well.

River rock is larger (often 1–3 inches or bigger) and sold by size grade, typically at a higher price point. It's used more for decorative borders, dry creek beds, and drainage features where individual stones are meant to be visually distinct rather than blending into a surface.

Both are estimated by the same area × depth × density math — use the Stone Calculator for either, adjusting the depth to match your intended look (shallower for a decorative border, deeper for full ground coverage).

Pea gravel's smaller, more uniform size also drains faster per unit depth than river rock's larger, irregular stones — part of why it's the more common choice specifically for French drains and drainage trenches, not just for its lower price.