River rock calculator
Measure your bed or dry creek, choose a depth that suits the rock size, and get cubic yards, approximate tons, and bag counts.
Estimates round up. Check product labels and supplier figures before ordering.
How deep should river rock be?
| Rock size | Depth | 1 ton covers |
|---|---|---|
| 3/4-1.5 in | 2 in | about 120 sq ft |
| 1-3 in | 3 in | about 80 sq ft |
| 2-5 in | 4-5 in | about 50-60 sq ft |
| 6 in and up | One layer | about 25 sq ft |
How it's calculated
River rock is sold by the cubic yard, by the ton, or in bags of about 0.5 cubic feet. The calculator finds the volume and converts it to all three.
Cubic yards = area (sq ft) x depth (in) / 12 / 27
Tons = cubic yards x 1.35
Bags = cubic feet / 0.5
Example: a 200 sq ft bed with 5% extra is 210 sq ft. At 3 inches deep that is 52.5 cubic feet, or 1.94 cubic yards, which weighs about 2.6 tons. In bags it is 105 half-cubic-foot bags.
The right depth depends on rock size. A layer should be about twice as deep as the stones are wide so no soil or fabric shows through, and large cobbles are laid one stone deep. Round rock rolls underfoot, so it suits beds and drainage more than paths. Weight varies with stone type and moisture, so ask your supplier for their figure.
What you'll need
- River rock
- Landscape fabric
- Landscape edging
- Fabric landscape staples
Common questions
How much does a yard of river rock weigh?
About 1.3 to 1.4 tons, or roughly 2,600 to 2,800 pounds. This calculator uses 1.35 tons.
How much area does a ton of river rock cover?
At 2 inches deep, about 120 square feet. At 3 inches, about 80 square feet.
How many bags of river rock make a yard?
Most bagged river rock is 0.5 cubic feet, so a cubic yard is 54 bags.
Should I put landscape fabric under river rock?
Usually yes. Fabric keeps rock from sinking into the soil and slows weeds, though some weeds will still root in debris that collects on top.