River rock calculator for West Virginia
Stone size affects coverage: a ton of 3-inch rock spreads over half the space covered by a ton of 1-inch rock.
Enter your project dimensions
The size of the rock sets its coverage rate. For the ground to disappear beneath it, plan on a layer roughly twice the stone diameter: 1-inch rock needs 2 inches, while 3-inch rock calls for 4 inches or more. So one ton covers half as much area with the larger size. Choose your stone and enter the bed measurements here to calculate tons using river rock's 2,700 lb per cubic yard. Keep the pile size in mind too. A ton amounts to just three-quarters of a cubic yard. If fabric remains visible after spreading, the layer is too thin, not short on quantity.
Planning your order
- Take measurements for every bed and border in feet. Multiple-areas mode combines the separate spaces.
- Match layer depth to stone diameter at about double: use 2 inches with 3/4 to 1 inch rock, 3 to 4 inches with 1 to 3 inch rock, and 4 to 5 inches for larger pieces.
- Divide cubic feet by 27 for cubic yards, then multiply yards by 1.35 for tons.
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 |
Install fabric before rock
Bare ground gradually takes in loose rock. Stones settle a bit each season, weeds push up between them, and three years later the bed may need more rock, something fabric could have avoided for a few dollars a roll. Put down non-woven fabric, fasten it with pins, and place the stone on top. For drain rock carrying water through a drainage route, use the fabric to enclose the stone rather than laying it beneath it.
Natural-looking rock bed ideas
- Use two sizes together: start with 1 to 2 inch stone and add groupings of bigger pieces. One uniform size can resemble a parking lot median.
- For a dry creek bed, sink the largest anchor stones a third deep to give them a water-set look.
- After spreading, hose the rock down. Quarry dust can leave delivered stone looking gray until it is rinsed away.
- For foundation beds, lay 3 to 4 inches over fabric and pitch it gently away from the wall. This creates a neat edge and carries roof runoff along.
- Use a blower on low to remove leaves. A rake can send stones into the grass, where mower blades may hit them.
Example: a 200-square-foot bed
For a 2-inch-deep bed of one-inch river rock, 200 x 0.167 works out to 33 cubic feet, or 1.2 cubic yards and about 1.7 tons. Buy two tons. Use the remainder to build up the leading edge, where coverage thins first and stays most visible.
Rock or mulch over five years
Mulch improves soil and costs less with each delivery, but it needs replacing every year or two. River rock costs more upfront and generally keeps a similar appearance by year five. It can heat nearby soil in summer, so mulch often suits planted beds, while rock works well for borders, drainage lines and edges. Compare both calculators using the same measurements to see how tonnage affects the price.
Questions about river rock coverage and pricing
How can I calculate the river rock I need?
What area will 1 ton of river rock cover?
What coverage comes from 50 lbs of river rock?
What is the price of a ton of river rock?
What depth should river rock have?
Is landscape fabric needed under river rock?
Can river rock go on top of mulch?
What does a yard of river rock weigh?
Other calculators
Planning for a rock bed
River rock, large river rock, and drain rock are available by the ton, with free delivery included.
