River Rock Calculator
Enter your landscape bed dimensions and desired depth to see how many tons — or cubic yards — of river rock or decorative stone to order.
Results
- Cubic yards
- 0.93 yd³
- Cubic feet
- 25.0 ft³
- Weight
- 1.25 tons
Assumed density: 2700 lb/yd³ (River Rock)
How it works
Measure your landscape bed length and width in feet. For curved beds, use an approximate rectangle or break the area into sections.
Enter your desired rock depth in inches. River rock is typically spread 2–4 inches deep for ground cover and 4–6 inches for drainage applications.
The calculator divides total cubic feet by 27 for cubic yards, then multiplies by river rock's density (≈ 2,700 lb/yd³) to give tons.
Reference chart
River rock coverage at common depths (1 ton ≈ 0.74 yd³)
| Depth (in) | Coverage per ton (sq ft) |
|---|---|
| 2 | 120 |
| 3 | 80 |
| 4 | 60 |
| 6 | 40 |
| 8 | 30 |
Frequently asked questions
How many tons of river rock do I need for a 10×15 ft bed, 3 inches deep?
10 × 15 × (3/12) = 37.5 cu ft ÷ 27 ≈ 1.39 yd³ × 2,700 lb = 3,750 lb ÷ 2,000 ≈ 1.9 tons. Order 2 tons.
Should I put landscape fabric under river rock?
Yes — a layer of woven landscape fabric under the rock blocks weeds while allowing water to drain through. Avoid plastic sheeting, which traps moisture.
Is river rock sold by the ton or by the yard?
Bulk suppliers typically sell by the ton; home improvement stores sell by the bag. One ton of river rock is roughly 0.7–0.75 cubic yards depending on stone size.