River Rock Calculator: Estimate Cubic Yards, Tons & Bags (2026 Cost Guide)
Smooth, water-tumbled stones (1–3" typical) for dry creek beds, drainage swales and low-maintenance beds.
River rock never needs replacing and won't blow or float away, which makes it ideal for drainage areas and xeriscaping. Larger stones need more depth to cover the ground: plan for at least 2× the stone diameter (e.g., 3 inches for 1–1.5" rock, 4–6 inches for 2–3" rock).
1Measure your area
2Prices (optional)
+ $95 typical delivery
Your River Rock estimate
Total volume
2.04 cu. yd
Bags needed
110
Estimated weight
2.75 tons
Bulk order
2.5 cu. yd
- Bulk (2.5 yd + delivery)Best value$333
$238 material + $95 delivery
- Bagged (110 × 0.5 cu. ft bag (~50 lb))$823
$7.48 per bag
Bulk delivery saves about $490. Prices are US averages — enter your local quotes above.
Can my truck haul it?
- Mid-size pickup (~1,000 lbs)6 trips
- Half-ton pickup (F-150 / Silverado 1500) (~1,500 lbs)4 trips
- 3/4-ton pickup (2500 series) (~2,500 lbs)3 trips
- 1-ton pickup (3500 series) (~4,000 lbs)2 trips
Material shopping list
| River Rock — bulk≈ 2.75 tons · $333 delivered | 2.5 cu. yd |
| River Rock — or bagged (0.5 cu. ft bag (~50 lb))$823 at $7.48/bag | 110 bags |
| Coverage3" deep · 10% overage included | 200 sq. ft |
Prices are estimates. Confirm bag yield (cu. ft) on the package before buying.
How much river rock do I need? Quick-reference table
Pre-calculated amounts for common project sizes, including a 10% overage. Bags are based on the 0.5 cu. ft bag (~50 lb); weight uses 2,700 lbs per cubic yard.
| Area | Depth | Cubic yards | Cubic feet | Bags | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10×10 ft (100 sq. ft) | 2" | 0.68 | 18.3 | 37 | 0.92 tons |
| 10×10 ft (100 sq. ft) | 3" | 1.02 | 27.5 | 55 | 1.38 tons |
| 10×10 ft (100 sq. ft) | 4" | 1.36 | 36.7 | 74 | 1.83 tons |
| 12×12 ft (144 sq. ft) | 2" | 0.98 | 26.4 | 53 | 1.32 tons |
| 12×12 ft (144 sq. ft) | 3" | 1.47 | 39.6 | 80 | 1.98 tons |
| 12×12 ft (144 sq. ft) | 4" | 1.96 | 52.8 | 106 | 2.64 tons |
| 20×20 ft (400 sq. ft) | 2" | 2.72 | 73.3 | 147 | 3.67 tons |
| 20×20 ft (400 sq. ft) | 3" | 4.07 | 110 | 220 | 5.5 tons |
| 20×20 ft (400 sq. ft) | 4" | 5.43 | 146.7 | 294 | 7.33 tons |
How much area does a cubic yard of river rock cover?
| Depth | 1 cu. yd covers | 1 ton covers | 1 bag covers |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1" | 324 sq. ft | 240 sq. ft | 6 sq. ft |
| 2" | 162 sq. ft | 120 sq. ft | 3 sq. ft |
| 3" | 108 sq. ft | 80 sq. ft | 2 sq. ft |
| 4" | 81 sq. ft | 60 sq. ft | 1.5 sq. ft |
| 6" | 54 sq. ft | 40 sq. ft | 1 sq. ft |
The river rock formula, step by step
This calculator uses the standard US bulk-material formula:Cubic Yards = (Area in sq. ft × (Depth in inches ÷ 12)) ÷ 27. Here's a worked example for a 12 × 12 ft area at 3 inches deep:
- Measure the area. Multiply length × width in feet to get square feet. Break irregular shapes into rectangles and add them.
- Convert depth to feet. Divide the depth in inches by 12. A 3" layer is 0.25 ft.
- Calculate cubic feet and yards. Multiply square feet × depth in feet for cubic feet, then divide by 27 for cubic yards.
- Add a waste factor. Multiply by 1.10 to add 10% for settling, compaction and spillage.
- Convert to bags and tons. Divide cubic feet by 0.5 for 0.5 cu. ft bag (~50 lb), and multiply cubic yards by 1.35 for tons.
Result: 144 sq. ft × 0.25 ft = 36cu. ft ÷ 27 = 1.33 cubic yards. With 10% extra that's 1.47 cu. yd — about 80 bags or 1.98 tons.
River Rock cost guide (2026)
- Bulk:$60–$160 per cubic yard (US average ≈ $95), plus about $95 delivery.
- Bagged:0.5 cu. ft bag (~50 lb) ≈ $7.48 each — 54 bags per yard, or about $404 per cubic yard.
- Weight: 2,700 lbs per cubic yard (1.35tons). A half-ton pickup can safely carry about 0.56 cu. yd per trip.
Pro tips for installing river rock
- Depth should be about twice the average stone size so no soil or fabric shows through.
- Always use landscape fabric — pulling weeds out of rock is miserable.
- Mix two or three sizes for a natural creek look; put the largest stones along the edges.
- River rock is heavy: a single cubic yard is about 1.35 tons.
Common uses
- Dry creek beds and drainage swales
- Around downspouts and AC units
- Xeriscape and rock gardens
River Rock FAQ
How much area does a ton of river rock cover?
One ton of river rock (about 0.74 cubic yards) covers roughly 80 sq. ft at 3 inches deep or 60 sq. ft at 4 inches deep.
How deep should river rock be?
Use 2–3 inches for 3/4"–1.5" rock and 4–6 inches for 2–5" rock. The rule of thumb is twice the stone diameter so the ground is fully covered.
Why is river rock more expensive than gravel?
River rock is screened and washed natural stone that's often trucked long distances, and decorative colors or sizes carry a premium. Bulk prices run $60–$160 per yard versus $35–$75 for pea gravel.
Can I put river rock directly on dirt?
You can, but the stones will slowly sink and weeds will grow through. A layer of woven landscape fabric over leveled soil keeps the rock clean for years.