River rock calculator for Arkansas
Coverage changes with stone size: 3-inch rock uses twice the depth of 1-inch rock, so each ton covers half as much.
Enter your project dimensions
River rock coverage depends on the stone size. To keep the ground concealed, use a layer near twice the stone diameter: 1-inch material needs 2 inches, while 3-inch material calls for 4 inches or more. That means the same ton spreads across half the space. Use this calculator to select a size, enter the bed measurements, and convert using river rock's 2,700 lb per cubic yard. The delivered pile can seem smaller than expected, since a ton is only three-quarters of a cubic yard. If fabric remains visible after spreading, the layer is too shallow rather than short on material.
Planning your order
- In feet, measure every border and bed individually; multiple-areas mode combines the separate measurements.
- Plan for a layer twice the rock diameter: use 2 inches with 3/4 to 1 inch stone, 3 to 4 inches with 1 to 3 inch stone, and 4 to 5 inches for larger pieces.
- Convert cubic feet to cubic yards by ÷ 27, then calculate tons with yards × 1.35.
Per-ton coverage by size
| Stone size | Layer depth | 1 ton covers |
|---|---|---|
| 3/4-1" river rock | 2 inches | ≈ 120 sq ft |
| 1-3" river rock | 3 inches | ≈ 80 sq ft |
| Large river rock (2-4") | 4-5 inches | ≈ 53 sq ft |
| Oversize accents | single layer | 35-50 sq ft |
| Project | Typical size | Depth | Volume | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Foundation border | 40 x 3 ft | 3" | 1.1 yd³ | 1.5 tons |
| Dry creek bed | 25 x 4 ft | 4" | 1.2 yd³ | 1.7 tons |
| Accent beds | ≈ 150 sq ft | 2" | 0.9 yd³ | 1.3 tons |
| Downspout splash zones, x4 | 3 x 2 ft each | 3" | 0.2 yd³ | 0.3 tons |
| Front-yard xeriscape | ≈ 600 sq ft | 3" | 5.6 yd³ | 7.5 tons |
Put fabric beneath the rock
Bare ground lets rock work down into the soil over time, while weeds find their way up through it. After three years, the bed may need more stone, a cost that non-woven fabric can avoid for a few dollars a roll. Put the fabric down first, secure it with pins, and spread the rock on top. For drain rock carrying water, enclose the stone with fabric instead of laying fabric below it.
Ways to shape a natural-looking rock bed
- Pair sizes by using a 1 to 2 inch layer with groups of bigger stones. All one size can resemble a parking-lot median.
- For a dry creek bed, sink the largest anchor stones a third of their depth into the ground so they resemble rock shaped by moving water.
- After the rock is spread, hose it off. Quarry dust can dull the color of delivered stone until it is rinsed away.
- Next to a foundation, place 3 to 4 inches of rock over fabric and grade it gently away from the wall. This creates a finished edge and helps carry roof water along the foundation.
- Clear leaves using a blower on its low setting. Raking can toss rocks into grass, where they may later meet mower blades.
Example: a 200-square-foot bed
At 2 inches deep, 200 x 0.167 = 33 cubic feet = 1.2 cubic yards, or about 1.7 tons of one-inch river rock. Order two tons. Use the extra to build up the front edge, where the layer is most visible and usually thins first.
Choosing rock or mulch over five years
River rock costs more at the start, but in year five it generally still looks much the same. Mulch costs less per delivery and feeds the soil, though it needs a refresh every year or two. Rock can heat nearby soil during summer, making mulch a usual choice for planted beds and rock a fit for borders, drainage lines, and edges. Put the same dimensions into both calculators, and the tonnage difference shows the price difference right away.
Questions about river rock coverage and pricing
How can I figure the river rock quantity I need?
What square footage can 1 ton of river rock cover?
What coverage does 50 lbs of river rock provide?
What is the price for a ton of river rock?
What depth should I use for river rock?
Is landscape fabric needed under river rock?
Can river rock go on top of mulch?
What does a cubic yard of river rock weigh?
More calculators
Rock bed maintenance
River rock, large river rock, and drain rock available by the ton with delivery included.
