River Rock Calculator
Cubic yards & tons of decorative river rock
Adding decorative river rock to beds, borders or a dry creek? Enter the area and depth to get the cubic yards and tons to order.
How deep should river rock be?
2–3 inches gives full coverage in decorative beds; larger 2–5 inch stones need a touch more depth to hide the soil beneath. The math is area × depth, plus about 10% for uneven spread.
Coverage and weight
Because the stones are large, a ton of river rock covers less ground than gravel — roughly 70–100 ft² at 2–3 inches. It's heavy, so bulk delivery by the ton or cubic yard is the norm for anything beyond a small border.
Rock over fabric
Lay landscape fabric underneath to stop rock from sinking into the soil and to slow weeds. River rock is permanent and low-maintenance, but it doesn't feed the soil the way mulch does, and it reflects heat — keep it away from plants that prefer cool, rich, moist beds.
River Rock Calculator: frequently asked questions
How much does a ton of river rock cover?
Roughly 70–100 square feet at 2–3 inches deep, depending on stone size.
Is river rock good for drainage?
Yes — its rounded shape and gaps make it popular for dry creeks and downspout splash areas.
River rock or pea gravel — which should I use?
Larger river rock suits dry creek beds and downspout splash zones where you want flow and a bold decorative look; smoother pea gravel is better for walking surfaces and patios.