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River Rock Calculator

To find how much river rock you need, multiply the area by the depth and divide by 27 for cubic yards, then multiply by about 1.4 to estimate tons. Larger stones need a slightly deeper layer for full coverage.

2 in for decorative cover, 3-4 in for fuller coverage or larger stone.

Add prices to estimate cost (optional)

Enter your measurements above to see how much river rock you need.

Depth and stone size

For most decorative beds, a 2 inch layer covers the ground well. Larger river rock (2 inches and up) looks best at 3 to 4 inches so the soil does not show through.

Measure the area in feet, set the depth, and the calculator returns cubic yards, an estimated weight in tons, and a bag count.

Tons or bags?

River rock is sold bagged for small beds and by the ton in bulk for larger areas. Bulk is cheaper per pound but needs delivery and a way to move it.

Use the tons figure to order bulk; treat it as a range because stone density varies with size and type.

River Rock coverage chart

DepthPer 0.5 cu ft bagPer cubic yard
2 in3 sq ft162 sq ft
3 in2 sq ft108 sq ft
4 in2 sq ft81 sq ft

One cubic yard = 27 cubic feet. Coverage = volume / depth.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a yard of river rock weigh?

Roughly 2,400 to 2,900 pounds (about 1.2 to 1.7 tons), depending on stone size and type.

How much river rock is in a ton?

About 0.6 to 0.8 cubic yards per ton, since a cubic yard weighs roughly 1.2 to 1.7 tons. One ton covers about 70 to 100 square feet at 2 inches deep.

How deep should river rock be?

2 inches for small stone as ground cover; 3 to 4 inches for larger stone or fuller coverage.

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