River Rock Calculator

Estimate river rock for flower beds, borders and dry creek beds. Larger rock needs more depth to cover the ground completely.

%

Cubic yards

1.94 yd³

  • Tons2.63 short tons
  • Cubic feet52.5 ft³
  • Cubic meters1.49 m³
  • Area covered200 ft²
  • Estimated material cost$87–$129

Estimates only. Round up when you order, and confirm structural details with your local building code.

How to use it

  1. Enter the area.
  2. Set the depth: roughly 2 in for ¾–1 in rock, 3–4 in for 1–3 in rock.
  3. Choose your state for typical pricing.

The formula

Cubic yards = area × depth ÷ 27

Tons ≈ cubic yards × 1.35

Worked example

Length20 ft
Width10 ft
Depth3 in
State (for price)U.S. average
Extra for settling / compaction5 %

Result

Cubic yards1.94 yd³
Tons2.63 short tons
Cubic feet52.5 ft³
Cubic meters1.49 m³
Area covered200 ft²
Estimated material cost$87–$129

Tips before you order

  • Use a depth of about twice the rock size to hide the fabric underneath.
  • Bagged river rock (0.5 ft³) is convenient for small beds but costs far more per ton than bulk.

Questions

How much river rock do I need for a 10×10 area?

At 3 in deep, a 10 × 10 ft area needs 0.93 yd³ — about 1.25 tons.