Calculate cubic yards, tons, pounds, and cost for landscaping, garden beds, dry creek beds, and decorative rock projects — instantly.
Coverage varies with depth. The figures below assume standard river rock at 1.4 tons per cubic yard. Larger, denser rock will cover slightly less per ton; smaller rock will cover slightly more.
| Rock Depth | Coverage per Ton | Coverage per Cubic Yard | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 inches | 100–120 sq ft | 162 sq ft | Light decorative top-dress |
| 3 inches | 70–80 sq ft | 108 sq ft | Garden beds, foundation plantings |
| 4 inches | 50–60 sq ft | 81 sq ft | Walkways, decorative landscaping |
| 6 inches | 35–40 sq ft | 54 sq ft | Drainage areas, dry creek beds |
| 8 inches | 25–30 sq ft | 40 sq ft | Water features, deep drainage |
Depth determines how natural the installation looks and how well it suppresses weeds and retains moisture. Too shallow and rock looks sparse — too deep and costs climb quickly without added benefit.
| Application | Recommended Depth | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Garden beds (decorative) | 2–3 inches | Suppresses weeds, attractive coverage without excessive weight |
| Foundation plantings | 2–3 inches | Keep rock 2–3" away from house foundation to prevent moisture |
| Decorative landscaping | 3–4 inches | Fuller, more lush appearance; better weed suppression |
| Pathways & walkways | 3–5 inches | Deeper layer stays in place better under foot traffic |
| Dry creek beds | 4–6 inches | Mix sizes for natural look; layer larger rocks on sides |
| Drainage areas | 4–6 inches | Use washed rock with no fines for best water flow |
| Water features / pond surround | 4–8 inches | Use mixed sizes; larger rocks at water edge |
The size of river rock dramatically affects both the appearance and the quantity needed. Larger rocks show individual stones while smaller ones blend together for a uniform look. Here are the most common sizes and their ideal applications.
Tight spaces, narrow borders, ground cover under shrubs. Comfortable to walk on. Tends to scatter more than larger sizes.
The most popular size for general landscaping and garden beds. Balances natural appearance with good coverage per ton.
Bold statement pieces for water features, dry creek beds, and large landscape areas. Fewer pieces per ton, very durable.
| Size Range | Common Name | Best Applications | Tons per Pallet |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3/4–1 inch | Small river rock | Ground cover, borders, tight areas | 1.0–1.2 t |
| 1–2 inch | Medium river rock Popular | Garden beds, general landscaping, paths | 1.2–1.5 t |
| 2–3 inch | Large river rock | Borders, decorative accent areas | 1.3–1.6 t |
| 3–5 inch | Extra large river rock | Dry creek beds, water features | 1.4–1.7 t |
| 6–12 inch | Landscape boulders | Focal points, water feature edges | 1.5–2.0 t |
River rock is naturally occurring stone that has been smoothed and rounded by the movement of water in rivers and streams over thousands of years. The constant tumbling action removes sharp edges, creating the characteristic smooth, oval shape that makes river rock one of the most popular decorative landscape stones.
Unlike crushed stone — which is mechanically broken and angular — river rock retains its natural rounded form. This smooth surface makes it comfortable underfoot, visually attractive, and gentle on roots in garden beds. The river rock calculator above works for all sizes and projects, from small garden borders to large dry creek beds.
Homeowners choose river rock as a landscape rock calculator material for several reasons:
As a decorative rock calculator resource, this page is designed to help you plan any river rock project accurately — whether you are estimating for a small flower bed border or a large-scale creek bed installation.
| Feature | River Rock | Crushed Stone / Gravel |
|---|---|---|
| Particle shape | Rounded, smooth | Angular, jagged |
| Appearance | Decorative, natural | Functional, uniform |
| Stability under traffic | Poor — rolls and scatters | Excellent — interlocks |
| Driveway suitability | ❌ Not recommended | ✅ Ideal |
| Garden / landscaping | ✅ Ideal | Adequate |
| Water features | ✅ Best choice | Not suitable |
| Typical cost per ton | $45–$130 | $20–$50 |
| Weed suppression | Good (3"+ depth) | Good (3"+ depth) |
The river rock calculator automates these four steps. If you want to verify the math or calculate by hand, follow this process for any rectangular area.
Measure length and width in feet. For curved or irregular beds, approximate with the closest rectangle, then adjust. For circles (round garden beds), measure the diameter and use the circle mode above.
Area (sq ft) = Length (ft) × Width (ft)
For garden beds, 3 inches is the standard recommendation. It suppresses weeds well and looks full without requiring excessive material. Convert inches to feet by dividing by 12.
Depth in ft = Depth in inches ÷ 12 (e.g. 3" → 0.25 ft)
Multiply area × depth to get cubic feet, then divide by 27 to convert to cubic yards (there are 27 cubic feet in 1 cubic yard).
Cubic yards = (Length × Width × Depth in ft) ÷ 27
Multiply cubic yards × 1.4 for standard river rock density. Add 10% for uneven surfaces, edges, and waste. This is your order quantity.
Tons = Cubic yards × 1.4
Order qty = Tons × 1.10 (+10% waste)
Step 1: Area = 20 × 10 = 200 sq ft
Step 2: Depth = 3 ÷ 12 = 0.25 ft
Step 3: Volume = 200 × 0.25 ÷ 27 = 1.85 cubic yards
Step 4: Tons = 1.85 × 1.4 = 2.6 tons → order 2.9 tons (+10% waste)
Use the river rock calculator above to enter your area dimensions and depth. The tool calculates cubic yards, tons, and pounds instantly. As a reference: 1 ton of river rock covers approximately 70–120 sq ft depending on depth. A standard 20 × 10 ft garden bed at 3 inches deep needs about 2.6–3 tons. Always add 10% for waste and uneven edges.
One cubic yard of river rock weighs approximately 1.3–1.5 short tons (2,600–3,000 lbs). Standard estimates use 1.4 tons per cubic yard. Larger, denser stones (3–5 inch) run closer to 1.5 t/yd³; smaller stones (3/4–1 inch) are closer to 1.3 t/yd³. Use the density selector in the calculator for more precise results.
Recommended depths: garden beds 2–3 inches; decorative landscaping 3–4 inches; walkways and paths 3–5 inches; drainage areas and dry creek beds 4–6 inches. At 3 inches you get good weed suppression and a full look. Going below 2 inches allows weeds to push through; above 6 inches adds cost without much benefit. Install landscape fabric underneath regardless of depth.
River rock costs $45–$130 per ton for natural river rock, depending on stone size, color, and local availability. Polished or premium decorative river rock runs $80–$200+ per ton. Delivery adds $50–$200. Professionally installed river rock landscaping typically costs $6–$15 per square foot. See the gravel cost guide for a full breakdown.
River rock is not recommended for driveways. The smooth, rounded stones roll and displace under vehicle tires, creating an unstable surface that will rut and develop bare patches quickly. Angular crushed stone (#57 stone or dense grade) is the correct choice for driveways — it compacts and interlocks. Reserve river rock for decorative landscaping, garden beds, pathways, and drainage features where vehicle traffic is not a concern.
1–2 inch river rock is the most popular size for general landscaping and garden beds. It looks natural, covers well, and stays in place reasonably well. Use smaller 3/4–1 inch rock for narrow borders and tight spaces. For water features, dry creek beds, and bold focal points, use 3–5 inch river rock. Mixing two sizes (e.g., 1–2" and 3–4") creates a natural, layered look in creek bed designs.