River Rock Calculator
Find out how much river rock you need for landscaping beds, dry creek beds and borders. Get tons, cubic yards and cost.
- Cubic yards
- 0.97
- Tons
- 1.31
- Cubic feet
- 26.3
- Area
- 100 sq ft
Bulk cost
$118
Before delivery and tax
Bagged
53 bags · $371
Advanced: material density
Default price is a typical U.S. figure ($45–$150 per ton), reviewed November 2026. Prices vary by region; enter your supplier's price for an exact total.
River rock is smooth, rounded stone used for garden beds, borders and dry creek beds. It lasts far longer than mulch but costs more up front.
Larger stones need a deeper layer to cover the ground fully, so use a depth at least one and a half times the size of the rock.
How to calculate how much river rock you need
- Measure the length and width of the area in feet.
- Decide on depth in inches (see the depth guide below).
- Multiply length × width to get square feet.
- Multiply by depth ÷ 12 to get cubic feet, then divide by 27 for cubic yards.
- Multiply cubic yards by 1.35 to get tons.
Cubic yards = length × width × depth (in) ÷ 12 ÷ 27. Tons = cubic yards × 1.35.
Recommended river rock depth
| Project | Depth |
|---|---|
| Small rock (1–2 in) beds | 2–3 in |
| Medium rock (2–4 in) | 3–4 in |
| Dry creek bed | 4–6 in |
How much river rock for common project sizes
Cubic yards needed before any waste allowance, with tons in brackets (at 1.35 t/yd³).
| Area | 2 in deep | 3 in deep | 4 in deep | 6 in deep |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 × 10 ft | 0.62 yd³ (0.8 t) | 0.93 yd³ (1.3 t) | 1.23 yd³ (1.7 t) | 1.85 yd³ (2.5 t) |
| 10 × 20 ft | 1.23 yd³ (1.7 t) | 1.85 yd³ (2.5 t) | 2.47 yd³ (3.3 t) | 3.7 yd³ (5 t) |
| 12 × 12 ft | 0.89 yd³ (1.2 t) | 1.33 yd³ (1.8 t) | 1.78 yd³ (2.4 t) | 2.67 yd³ (3.6 t) |
| 20 × 20 ft | 2.47 yd³ (3.3 t) | 3.7 yd³ (5 t) | 4.94 yd³ (6.7 t) | 7.41 yd³ (10 t) |
| 12 × 50 ft (driveway) | 3.7 yd³ (5 t) | 5.56 yd³ (7.5 t) | 7.41 yd³ (10 t) | 11.11 yd³ (15 t) |
| 500 sq ft | 3.09 yd³ (4.2 t) | 4.63 yd³ (6.3 t) | 6.17 yd³ (8.3 t) | 9.26 yd³ (12.5 t) |
| 1,000 sq ft | 6.17 yd³ (8.3 t) | 9.26 yd³ (12.5 t) | 12.35 yd³ (16.7 t) | 18.52 yd³ (25 t) |
Tips before you order
- Lay heavy landscape fabric first; river rock is hard to clean weeds out of.
- Mix two or three sizes for a natural-looking creek bed.
Frequently asked questions
How much area does a ton of river rock cover?
About 120 square feet at 2 inches deep, or 80 square feet at 3 inches deep.
Is river rock better than mulch?
River rock does not break down or blow away, so it rarely needs replacing. Mulch is cheaper and better for plant health because it adds organic matter.