River rock calculator for Utah
Stone size changes tonnage coverage: a ton of 3-inch rock covers half the area of a ton of 1-inch rock.
Enter your project dimensions
River rock coverage depends on stone size. To keep the ground covered, use a layer about twice the stone diameter: 1-inch rock at 2 inches deep, and 3-inch rock at 4 inches or deeper. That means the same ton covers half as much area with larger stone. Select the size and enter the bed in this calculator for tonnage based on river rock at 2,700 lb per cubic yard. The delivered pile can seem smaller than expected. One ton is only three-quarters of a cubic yard, and fabric showing after spreading points to insufficient depth, not too little rock.
Order sizing
- In feet, measure every border and bed. Use multiple-areas mode to combine separate sections.
- For 3/4-1 inch rock, plan on 2 inches of depth. Use 3-4 inches with 1-3 inch rock, and 4-5 inches for larger stone.
- Divide cubic feet by 27 for cubic yards, then multiply yards by 1.35 for tons.
Per-ton coverage by size
| Stone size | Layer depth | 1 ton covers |
|---|---|---|
| 3/4-1" river rock | 2 inches | ≈ 120 sq ft |
| 1-3" river rock | 3 inches | ≈ 80 sq ft |
| Large river rock (2-4") | 4-5 inches | ≈ 53 sq ft |
| Oversize accents | single layer | 35-50 sq ft |
| Project | Typical size | Depth | Volume | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Foundation border | 40 x 3 ft | 3" | 1.1 yd³ | 1.5 tons |
| Dry creek bed | 25 x 4 ft | 4" | 1.2 yd³ | 1.7 tons |
| Accent beds | ≈ 150 sq ft | 2" | 0.9 yd³ | 1.3 tons |
| Downspout splash zones, x4 | 3 x 2 ft each | 3" | 0.2 yd³ | 0.3 tons |
| Front-yard xeriscape | ≈ 600 sq ft | 3" | 5.6 yd³ | 7.5 tons |
Install fabric before rock
Without landscape fabric, rock gradually works into the soil and weeds can come up between the stones. After three years, the bed may need more material. Install non-woven fabric first, hold it with pins, then spread the rock. For drain rock in an active drainage route, wrap the fabric around the stone rather than placing it underneath.
Natural-looking rock bed ideas
- Combine sizes with a 1 to 2 inch foundation and groups of larger rocks. One uniform size can look like a parking median.
- For a dry creek bed, sink the largest anchor stones a third deep to give them the look of water-set rock.
- Hose down the rock once it is spread. Delivery dust can mute the color until it washes away.
- At foundations, install 3-4 inches over fabric and grade it lightly away from the wall. This finishes the edge and directs roof water along it.
- Use a blower on low to remove leaves. A rake can throw stones into the grass, where mower blades may hit them.
Example: a 200-square-foot bed
For one-inch river rock at 2 inches deep: 200 x 0.167 = 33 cubic feet = 1.2 cubic yards, about 1.7 tons. Order two tons. Use the extra to double-layer the front edge, where rock is most visible and tends to thin first.
Rock or mulch over five years
Mulch improves soil and has a lower delivery cost, but it needs replacing every year or two. River rock costs more at the start and generally looks much the same in year five. In summer it can warm nearby soil, so mulch is usually used in planted beds and rock along borders, drainage lines, and edges. Enter matching dimensions in both calculators to compare tonnage and price.
River rock coverage and pricing questions
How do I figure out the river rock I need?
What area will 1 ton of river rock cover?
What does 50 lbs of river rock cover?
What is the price of a ton of river rock?
What depth should river rock have?
Is landscape fabric needed under river rock?
Can river rock go on top of mulch?
What is the weight of a yard of river rock?
Other calculators
Planning for a rock bed purchase
Order river rock, large river rock, or drain rock by the ton with free delivery included.
