Yard Calculator for Rock
Calculate how much landscape rock, river rock, or gravel you need in cubic yards, tons, or bags. Includes coverage calculator and cost estimator.
Rock Coverage Quick Reference
📦 Area & Dimensions
Add 10% for settling and waste
📊 Material Needed
River Rock (1-3") Needed (with 10% waste)
1.02 cu yd
1.32 tons • 2,648 lbs
50 lb Bags
53
Area Covered
100 sq ft
Calculation Breakdown
📊 Rock Coverage Chart (1 Cubic Yard)
| Depth | Coverage (sq ft) | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| 1" | 324 | Very light top dressing |
| 2" | 162 | Decorative ground cover |
| 3" | 108 | Walkways, garden beds |
| 4" | 81 | Driveways, high traffic |
| 6" | 54 | French drains, base layer |
* Coverage varies by rock size. Larger rocks (3"+) may require more depth for proper coverage.
🪨 Rock Types & Weights
| Rock Type | Weight (lbs/cu yd) | Tons/cu yd | Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| River Rock (1-3") | 2,600 | 1.3 | $50-$160 |
| Pea Gravel | 2,800 | 1.4 | $30-$60 |
| Crushed Stone | 3,000 | 1.5 | $40-$80 |
| Lava Rock | 1,000 | 0.5 | $50-$180 |
| Decomposed Granite | 2,800 | 1.4 | $35-$70 |
| Sand | 2,700 | 1.35 | $25-$50 |
| Landscape Gravel | 2,800 | 1.4 | $35-$65 |
🪨 How to Calculate Rock for Landscaping
Understanding Cubic Yards
Landscape materials are sold by the cubic yard—a volume measurement equal to a 3ft × 3ft × 3ft cube (27 cubic feet). To calculate cubic yards: measure your area in feet, multiply length × width × depth (in feet), then divide by 27. Don't forget to convert inches to feet by dividing by 12.
Choosing the Right Depth
Depth depends on your application. For decorative purposes, 2-3 inches is usually sufficient. Walkways need 3-4 inches for stability. Driveways require 4-6 inches to handle vehicle weight. Larger rocks (3"+) need more depth since they don't pack as tightly—add an extra inch to your planned depth.
Bulk vs. Bagged Rock
For projects over 1 cubic yard, always buy bulk. Bagged rock costs 3-4× more than bulk per cubic yard. A single cubic yard requires about 54 fifty-pound bags—that's a lot of lifting! Bulk delivery typically costs $50-$150 extra but saves significant money on larger projects. Most pickup trucks can safely haul about 1 cubic yard of rock.
📊 Quick Reference
1 cu yd = 27 cu ft
1 cu yd ≈ 1.3-1.5 tons
1 cu yd ≈ 54 bags (50 lb)
1 ton ≈ 0.7-0.8 cu yd
Formula: L × W × D (ft) ÷ 27 = cu yd
💡 Pro Tips
- Always add 10% for waste
- Use landscape fabric first
- Larger rocks need more depth
- Bulk saves 3-4× vs bags
- Check truck weight capacity
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Frequently Asked Questions
To calculate cubic yards for rock: (1) Measure length and width in feet, (2) Determine depth in inches and convert to feet by dividing by 12, (3) Multiply length × width × depth to get cubic feet, (4) Divide by 27 to convert to cubic yards. Formula: Cubic Yards = (Length ft × Width ft × Depth ft) ÷ 27. Example: 10ft × 10ft area, 3" deep = 10 × 10 × 0.25 ÷ 27 = 0.93 cubic yards.
One cubic yard of rock covers different areas depending on depth: 324 sq ft at 1" deep, 162 sq ft at 2" deep, 108 sq ft at 3" deep, 81 sq ft at 4" deep, and 54 sq ft at 6" deep. For most decorative landscaping at 2-3" depth, expect 1 yard to cover about 100-160 square feet. Larger rocks require more depth for proper coverage.
One cubic yard of landscape rock costs $30-$180 depending on the type. River rock: $50-$160/yard. Pea gravel: $30-$60/yard. Crushed stone: $40-$80/yard. Lava rock: $50-$180/yard. Add $50-$150 for delivery. One cubic yard weighs 1.3-1.5 tons (2,600-3,000 lbs) and fills about half of a standard pickup truck bed.
One cubic yard of gravel covers approximately 100-162 square feet at the recommended 2-3 inch depth. At 2" depth: 162 sq ft. At 3" depth: 108 sq ft. At 4" depth (for driveways): 81 sq ft. For gravel driveways, plan for 4-6" depth and expect 1 yard to cover 54-81 square feet. Always add 10% extra for waste and settling.
Rock needed per square foot depends on depth: At 2" depth: 0.006 cubic yards (0.17 cu ft) per sq ft. At 3" depth: 0.009 cubic yards (0.25 cu ft) per sq ft. At 4" depth: 0.012 cubic yards (0.33 cu ft) per sq ft. In terms of weight, plan for about 13-20 lbs of river rock per square foot at 2-3" depth.
There are approximately 54 bags of rock (50 lb bags) in one cubic yard. This is based on rock weighing about 2,700 lbs per cubic yard. For 0.5 cubic foot bags, you'd need about 54 bags per yard. Buying bulk is much cheaper—bags cost 3-4× more than bulk per cubic yard. For projects over 1 cubic yard, always buy bulk.
🪨 Disclaimer: Calculations are estimates. Actual coverage may vary based on rock size, shape, and settling. Always order slightly more than calculated to account for waste and ensure complete coverage.