River Rock Calculator
Find out how many tons and cubic yards of river rock you need by stone size, with recommended depths and an instant cost estimate for your landscaping project.
Depth auto-fills; override below
Typical bulk river rock: $45–$130 per ton
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Enter a price per ton to estimate cost.
You might also need:Gravel Calculator·Cubic Yard Calculator
How to calculate river rock
River rock weighs about 2,700 lb (1.35 tons) per cubic yard — similar to gravel but usually ordered by the ton. Measure your area, pick a depth based on stone size, and convert:
tons = cubic yards × 1.35
A 15 × 6 ft dry creek bed with medium rock at 3 inches needs 22.5 cubic feet — 0.83 yards or about 1.1 tons. For a mixed design, run the base layer through thegravel calculator and add river rock on top.
River rock sizes and their uses
| Size | Depth | Coverage per ton | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| ⅜–¾″ (pebbles) | 2″ | ~100 sq ft | Pathways, between steppers |
| ¾–1″ | 2″ | ~90 sq ft | Ground cover, borders |
| 1–3″ | 3″ | ~60 sq ft | Dry creek beds, drainage |
| 3–4″+ | 4″ | ~45 sq ft | Accents, erosion control |
Installation tips
- Edge it: steel or plastic edging keeps rock from migrating into lawns — the #1 regret of skipping prep.
- Fabric underneath, always: without it, rock sinks into soil within a couple of seasons and weeds move in.
- Buy from one batch: river rock color varies by quarry lot. Order your full quantity at once so the color matches.
- Wheelbarrow math: a standard 6 cu ft wheelbarrow holds about 300 lb of rock — a ton is roughly 7 loads.
Frequently asked questions
How much does river rock cost?+
Bulk river rock typically costs $45–$130 per ton depending on size and color, plus delivery. Larger decorative stones (2–4 inch) and specialty colors sit at the top of that range. Bagged river rock at big-box stores works out to 2–4× the bulk price per ton.
How many square feet does a ton of river rock cover?+
At the standard 2-inch depth, one ton of river rock covers roughly 80–100 square feet. At 3 inches, expect 55–65 square feet per ton. Larger stones need deeper layers, which reduces coverage.
How deep should river rock be?+
Lay small rock (¾–1 inch) about 2 inches deep, medium rock (1–3 inch) at 3 inches, and large rock (3–4+ inch) at 4 inches or roughly twice the stone diameter — enough that the fabric or soil underneath never shows through.
Should I put landscape fabric under river rock?+
Yes. A woven landscape fabric stops rock sinking into the soil, keeps weeds from rooting up through it, and makes any future removal far easier. Skip plastic sheeting — it traps water and kills nearby roots.
Is river rock or mulch better for landscaping?+
River rock is a one-time cost that never decomposes, ideal for drainage paths, borders and xeriscaping. Mulch is cheaper upfront, better for plant health, but needs annual topping up. Many yards use rock in open areas and mulch in planted beds.