How much river rock do I need?
River rock decorates dry creek beds, borders, and planting areas, and works as drainage cover near foundations.
Enter the length, width, and depth of your area above. The calculator shows cubic yards, cubic feet, an estimated weight in tons, and the number of 0.5 cubic foot bags if you buy bagged river rock. Add a price per cubic yard and it also estimates the cost.
Cubic yard calculator for river rock
This cubic yard calculator for river rock works for any shape. Pick rectangle for most beds and slabs, circle for round areas, or trench for narrow runs. Open the price estimator under the calculator to add your supplier price, delivery fee, and tax. For a full cost breakdown, see the river rock cost calculator.
River Rock weight and bags per cubic yard
A planning value for river rock is 2,600 pounds per cubic yard, which is 1.30 US tons. Moisture, particle size, and compaction move that number, so treat it as a starting point.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Pounds per cubic yard | 2,600 |
| US tons per cubic yard | 1.30 |
| Kilograms per cubic yard | 1,179 |
| Cubic yards per US ton | 0.77 |
| Cubic feet per US ton | 20.77 |
| 0.5 cubic foot bags per cubic yard | 54.0 |
How far does a cubic yard of river rock go?
Coverage depends only on depth. The deeper the layer, the less area a cubic yard covers. The suggested depth for river rock is 2 to 4 inches, and 3 inches is a common choice.
| Depth (inches) | Square feet covered | Square yards covered |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 324 | 36.0 |
| 2 | 162 | 18.0 |
| 3 | 108 | 12.0 |
| 4 | 81 | 9.0 |
| 6 | 54 | 6.0 |
| 8 | 40 | 4.5 |
| 12 | 27 | 3.0 |
River Rock needed for common areas at 3 inches deep
| Area | Square feet | Cubic yards | US tons | 0.5 cubic foot bags |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 by 5 ft | 25 | 0.23 | 0.30 | 13 |
| 8 by 10 ft | 80 | 0.74 | 0.96 | 40 |
| 10 by 10 ft | 100 | 0.93 | 1.20 | 50 |
| 10 by 20 ft | 200 | 1.85 | 2.41 | 100 |
| 12 by 12 ft | 144 | 1.33 | 1.73 | 72 |
| 15 by 20 ft | 300 | 2.78 | 3.61 | 150 |
| 20 by 20 ft | 400 | 3.70 | 4.81 | 200 |
| 20 by 30 ft | 600 | 5.56 | 7.22 | 300 |
| 30 by 40 ft | 1,200 | 11.11 | 14.44 | 600 |
| 50 by 50 ft | 2,500 | 23.15 | 30.09 | 1,250 |
Worked example: 15 by 6 feet at 3 inches
The area is 15 feet times 6 feet, or 90 square feet. A depth of 3 inches is 0.25 feet. Volume is 90 times 0.25, which is 22.50 cubic feet. Divide by 27 to get 0.83 cubic yards. At 2,600 pounds per cubic yard that weighs about 1.08 US tons. With 10 percent extra, order 0.92 cubic yards.
Tips for ordering river rock
- Larger stones need a deeper layer, so use at least the stone diameter plus a little.
- Lay landscape fabric first so soil does not creep up between the stones.
- Sort sizes by color and shape for a natural looking dry creek bed.
Decorative stone often sells at a high price per ton, so measure carefully before you order.
Frequently asked questions
How many cubic yards of river rock do I need?
Multiply length, width, and depth in feet, then divide by 27. A 15 by 6 foot area at 3 inches deep needs about 0.83 cubic yards.
How much does a cubic yard of river rock weigh?
About 2,600 pounds, or 1.30 US tons, as a planning value. Ask your supplier for the exact figure.
How deep should river rock be?
Most projects use 2 to 4 inches. 3 inches is a common choice.
How many square feet does a cubic yard of river rock cover?
108 square feet at 3 inches deep, and 324 square feet at 1 inch.
How many bags of river rock make a cubic yard?
About 54 bags of the 0.5 cubic foot size, which yields about 0.5 cubic feet each.