What size river rock is best?
1-3 inch rock is standard for ground cover. 3-5 inch is better for drainage areas or decorative borders.
Calculator
Enter your values
Results
Cubic Yards
1.85
Tons
2.59
Material Analysis
Landscaping project planning
Material Requirements
You'll need approximately 1.85 cubic yards (2.59 tons) of river rock. River rock is smooth and rounded, making it excellent for decorative ground cover.
Coverage Tips
For 1-3 inch rock, a 2-3 inch depth is usually sufficient to cover the soil completely. For larger rock, you may need a deeper layer to avoid gaps.
Maintenance
Use a weed barrier fabric underneath. River rock is low maintenance but can collect leaves and debris, so keep a blower handy.
How to Use
Step-by-step instructions
- 1Enter the length and width of the area (in feet).
- 2Enter the desired depth of river rock (in inches).
- 3The calculator will estimate the cubic yards and tons needed.
Volume & Weight
Calculates volume in cubic yards and estimates weight assuming ~1.4 tons per cubic yard.
Volume = L x W x DVariables:
LLength (ft)WWidth (ft)DDepth (in)Example
Garden Bed
Inputs:
Length:20 ft
Width:10 ft
Depth:3 inches
Steps:
- 1.Volume = 20 * 10 * (3/12) = 50 cu ft
- 2.Cubic Yards = 50 / 27 = 1.85 cu yds
- 3.Weight = 1.85 x 1.4 = 2.59 tons
Result:
1.85 cu yds (2.59 tons)