# River Rock Calculator

Calculate how much river rock you need in tons and cubic yards. Enter area dimensions and depth for garden beds, pathways, and landscaping projects.

## What this calculates

River rock adds a natural look to garden beds, walkways, and drainage areas. Plug in your project dimensions and depth to find out how many tons to order. River rock is heavier than gravel at roughly 105 lb/ft³, so getting the right estimate saves you from overspending or making extra trips.

## Inputs

- **Length** (ft) — min 0
- **Width** (ft) — min 0
- **Depth** (in) — min 0, max 24 — Garden beds: 2-3 in, pathways: 3-4 in, drainage: 4-6 in
- **Rock Density** (lb/ft³) — min 50, max 150 — River rock typically weighs 100-110 lb/ft³
- **Price Per Ton** ($) — min 0

## Outputs

- **Coverage Area** (ft²)
- **Volume** (ft³)
- **Volume** (yd³)
- **Weight** (tons) — Order this amount from a supplier
- **Estimated Cost** — formatted as currency

## Details

## How to Estimate River Rock

River rock volume works the same way as any fill material: length x width x depth. The tricky part is converting that volume to weight, since suppliers sell by the ton.

**Quick reference for a 10 x 10 ft area:**
- 2 inches deep: ~0.37 cubic yards, ~0.49 tons
- 3 inches deep: ~0.56 cubic yards, ~0.73 tons
- 4 inches deep: ~0.74 cubic yards, ~0.97 tons

### Choosing the Right Depth

- **Garden borders and accents:** 2 inches is usually enough to cover the ground and block weeds
- **Walkways and paths:** 3-4 inches gives a stable walking surface
- **Drainage areas and dry creek beds:** 4-6 inches for proper water flow

### River Rock vs. Gravel

River rock is tumbled smooth by water, so it does not compact like angular crushed stone. That makes it great for decorative use but less ideal for driveways where you need a firm base.

## Frequently Asked Questions

**Q: How much does a cubic yard of river rock weigh?**

A: A cubic yard of river rock weighs approximately 2,800 pounds (1.4 tons). This is slightly heavier than crushed gravel because river rock is denser and more tightly packed due to its smooth, rounded shape.

**Q: How deep should river rock be for landscaping?**

A: For most landscaping, 2-3 inches of river rock is enough. Garden bed borders need just 2 inches, walkways work best at 3-4 inches, and drainage features like dry creek beds should be 4-6 inches deep.

**Q: How much river rock do I need for a 100 square foot area?**

A: At 3 inches deep, a 100 square foot area needs about 0.93 cubic yards or 1.3 tons of river rock. At 2 inches deep, you would need roughly 0.62 cubic yards or 0.87 tons.

**Q: Is river rock cheaper than gravel?**

A: River rock is usually more expensive than basic gravel, running $30-80 per ton compared to $15-50 for crushed gravel. The price varies based on rock size, color, and your distance from the quarry or river source.

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Source: https://vastcalc.com/calculators/construction/river-rock
Category: Construction
Last updated: 2026-04-08