River Rock Calculator — How Much River Rock Do You Need?
Pre-set for river rock at ≈1.35 tons per cubic yard. Enter your bed, border or dry-creek dimensions — including curved rings via the Border tab — and get yards, tons and bags instantly.
Gravel calculator
Density shown is an industry-typical value and varies by supplier — confirm before ordering.
You need
Includes +10% extra
36.0
cubic feet
1.33
cubic yards
1.87
tons (2,000 lb)
72
bags (0.5 cu ft)
≈ 0.76 m³
Estimated cost: $0.00 (at $0/ton)
Order 5–10% extra for compaction and settling — loose gravel always settles to less volume after compaction.
How much river rock do you need? Multiply the coverage area by depth in feet and divide by 27 for cubic yards, then multiply by about 1.35 for tons. One cubic yard of river rock covers roughly 160 square feet at 2 inches — about 1.35 tons. A 200 sq ft bed therefore needs 1.25 cubic yards, or 1.7 tons. Enter your exact dimensions above.
What is river rock?
River rock is naturally rounded, water-smoothed stone sold in mixed earth tones — larger and more decorative than pea gravel, which is essentially its small cousin. Sizes run from 3/4 inch up to 2–3 inches; "Mexican beach pebble" is a premium hand-sorted variant. It is purely decorative: the roundness that looks good in beds means the stone never interlocks, shifting under wheels and sliding on steep slopes. One cubic yard weighs roughly 1.35 tons (about 2,700 lb) as an industry-typical value, larger stone running slightly lighter per yard because of bigger voids.
Best uses and recommended depth
Install river rock 2 inches deep in planting beds and 3 inches where weed suppression matters most — deeper layers mostly add cost. Always lay it over landscape fabric.
- Planting beds — 2″ over fabric; the classic low-maintenance finish.
- Dry creek beds — 2–3″ of mixed sizes reads most natural; use the Border tab for winding channels.
- Drainage swales and downspout splash areas — 3″+ where washout occurs.
- Around pools and walkway accents — comfortable barefoot, unlike crushed stone.
Not for driveways, steep slopes, or anywhere load-bearing — see crushed stone or crusher run for those jobs.
Pros and cons of river rock
River rock buys you the most polished natural look in the gravel family, in exchange for a higher price and zero structural role.
Pros
- Premium, natural appearance that suits any architecture
- Smooth and barefoot-friendly around pools and paths
- Won't decompose, fade, or float away like organic mulch
- Permanent — no replenishing every couple of years
Cons
- Among the priciest gravels per yard
- Rolls and shifts — no driveways or heavy traffic
- Hard to walk on where stone is large (2″+)
- Hard to keep leaf-litter out; removing it later is heavy labor
River rock price: what to expect
Typical published US ranges put bulk river rock around $45–$130 per ton or $55–$160 per cubic yard — roughly $1.00–$2.50 per square foot at 2 inches. Standard mixed river rock sits at the low end; premium beach pebble can run several times that. Bagged river rock (0.5 cu ft) costs far more per yard. Add your supplier's price above for a cost estimate.
Frequently asked questions
How deep should river rock be in a flower bed?
A 2-inch layer of medium river rock covers flower beds well; 3 inches suppresses weeds longer. Because river rock is decorative and non-compacting, deeper layers mostly add cost without benefit.
How much does a yard of river rock weigh?
Around 1.35 tons (2,700 lb) per cubic yard — a typical value that varies by stone size and moisture. Larger rock has more void space, so a yard of it weighs slightly less than a yard of smaller stone.
Can I use river rock for a driveway?
River rock is not ideal for driveways: its smooth rounded stones shift and roll under tires. It excels for dry creek beds, edging, and accent areas. For a gravel driveway use crushed stone or crusher run instead.