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River Stone Calculator

Calculate how much river rock you need for your landscaping project. Get estimates in cubic yards, tons, and bags with cost calculations.

🪨 Quick Reference: How Much Does 1 Ton Cover?

Pea Gravel

120-140 sq ft

3/4" Rock

90-110 sq ft

1-3" Rock

65-85 sq ft

3-5" Rock

50-65 sq ft

📏 Enter Your Measurements

Recommended: 3" for 1-3" River Rock

Typical range: $25-$75 per ton

🪨 You Will Need

Total Weight

0.00 tons

(0.00 cubic yards)

Area0 sq ft
Volume0.00 cu ft
Bags (0.5 cu ft each)0 bags
Estimated Cost$0

💡 Tip: Order 5-10% extra to account for settling, spillage, and uneven areas.

📋 River Rock Coverage Chart

Rock SizeRecommended DepthSq Ft per TonSq Ft per Yard
Pea Gravel (3/8")2"120-140160-180
3/4" River Rock2-3"90-110120-140
1-3" River Rock3-4"65-8590-110
3-5" River Rock4" (single layer)50-6570-85

* Coverage varies based on rock shape, compaction, and application method. These are typical ranges for landscaping projects.

📐 How to Calculate River Rock Needed

The Formula

Cubic Yards = (Length × Width × Depth in feet) ÷ 27
Tons = Cubic Yards × 1.35 (average)
Cost = Tons × Price per Ton

Step-by-Step Example:

Project: 10 ft × 10 ft garden bed with 3" river rock
Step 1: Area = 10 × 10 = 100 sq ft
Step 2: Depth in feet = 3" ÷ 12 = 0.25 ft
Step 3: Volume = 100 × 0.25 = 25 cu ft
Step 4: Cubic yards = 25 ÷ 27 = 0.93 yards
Step 5: Tons = 0.93 × 1.35 = 1.25 tons
Result: Order 1.25-1.5 tons (with extra)

🪨 River Rock Size Guide

Pea Gravel (3/8")

Walkways, patios, drainage, around plants

Depth

2"

3/4" River Rock

Ground cover, pathways, drainage areas

Depth

2-3"

1-3" River Rock

Garden beds, borders, dry creek beds

Depth

3-4"

3-5" River Rock

Focal points, water features, erosion control

Depth

Single layer

6"+ Boulders

Accent pieces, retaining, natural features

Depth

As needed

💰 Price Guide

Per Ton

$25 - $75

Per Cubic Yard

$50 - $150

Delivery

$50 - $100

Installation

$1 - $3/sq ft

💡 Pro Tips

  • Always install landscape fabric first
  • Order 5-10% extra for waste
  • Bulk delivery saves 30-40% vs bags
  • Use edging to contain rocks
  • Deeper coverage = less maintenance

Frequently Asked Questions

One ton of river rock covers approximately 50-130 square feet depending on the rock size and depth. Pea gravel (3/8") at 2" depth covers about 120-140 sq ft per ton. 3/4" river rock at 2-3" depth covers 90-110 sq ft per ton. Larger 1-3" river rock at 3" depth covers 65-85 sq ft per ton. The coverage decreases as rock size increases because larger rocks require deeper coverage.

To calculate river stone needed: (1) Measure your area's length and width in feet, (2) Multiply length × width to get square footage, (3) Determine depth in inches based on rock size (2" for small, 3-4" for large), (4) Calculate cubic yards: (Length × Width × Depth in feet) ÷ 27, (5) Convert to tons if needed: cubic yards × 1.35. For example, a 10×10 ft area at 3" depth needs about 0.93 cubic yards or 1.25 tons of river rock.

River stone costs $50-$150 per cubic yard depending on type and location. Pea gravel is cheapest at $30-$60/yard. Standard 1-3" river rock costs $50-$100/yard. Decorative colored river rock can cost $100-$200/yard. Delivery typically adds $50-$100 for local delivery. Buying in bulk (5+ yards) usually offers 10-20% savings compared to smaller quantities.

Installation of 1 cubic yard of river rock costs $100-$300 total, including material ($50-$150) and labor ($50-$150). Professional installation runs $1-$3 per square foot. One cubic yard covers approximately 100-160 sq ft at 2-3" depth. DIY installation saves on labor but requires proper ground preparation including landscape fabric, edging, and a level base for best results.

River rock depth depends on the stone size: Small gravel (3/8"-1/2"): 2 inches minimum. Medium rock (3/4"-1"): 2-3 inches. Large rock (1-3"): 3-4 inches. Extra large (3-5"): 4+ inches or single layer. Deeper coverage provides better weed suppression and a more stable surface. Always install landscape fabric underneath to prevent weeds and keep rocks from sinking into soil.

Most bagged river rock comes in 0.5 cubic foot bags (about 50 lbs). To calculate bags needed: (1) Find your cubic feet needed: Length × Width × Depth (all in feet), (2) Divide by 0.5 to get number of bags. For example, a 4×4 ft area at 3" depth = 4 cubic feet = 8 bags. Bulk delivery is more economical for areas over 50 sq ft, as bagged rock costs 2-3× more per cubic foot.

🪨 Disclaimer: These calculations are estimates based on typical river rock densities. Actual amounts may vary based on rock type, shape, moisture content, and supplier specifications. Always confirm with your supplier and consider ordering 5-10% extra for your project.