River rock calculator for Alaska
Rock-size tonnage, since 3-inch stone from one ton covers half the area of 1-inch stone.
Enter your project dimensions
River rock coverage changes with stone size. To conceal the ground, install the layer at roughly two times the stone diameter: use 2 inches for 1-inch rock and at least 4 inches for 3-inch rock. That means one ton covers half as much area with the larger size. Select the size and enter your bed in this calculator to calculate tons using river rock at 2,700 lb per cubic yard. Keep in mind that the delivery pile may appear smaller than expected. One ton is just three-quarters of a cubic yard, and fabric showing after spreading signals insufficient depth rather than too little material.
Order sizing
- Enter the dimensions of every bed and border in feet; multiple-areas mode adds the separate areas together.
- Use a layer about two stone diameters deep: for 3/4-1 inch rock, make it 2 inches; for 1-3 inch material, use 3-4 inches; use 4-5 inches for larger rock.
- Convert cubic feet to yards by dividing by 27, then multiply yards by 1.35 for tons.
Tons of 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 stone
Bare ground gradually pulls stone down, so leaving out landscape fabric means weeds can emerge and the bed may need more rock after three years. Install non-woven fabric first, secure it with pins, and spread the rock on top. For drain rock carrying water through muskeg or another active drainage route, enclose the stone with the fabric rather than laying it beneath the rock.
Natural-looking rock bed details
- Combine two sizes by starting with 1 to 2 inch stone and grouping larger rocks through it. A single uniform size can resemble a parking-lot median.
- Set the largest anchor stones about a third into the ground in a dry creek bed so they appear shaped by moving water.
- After installation, hose the rock down. Quarry dust from delivery can leave the color looking gray until it is rinsed away.
- To carry roof water away, install 3-4 inches over fabric beside foundations and slope it slightly outward from the wall. The result has a finished appearance while guiding water along.
- Use a blower on a low setting to clear leaves. Raking can send rocks into the grass, where they can later meet mower blades.
Example: a 200-square-foot bed
At 2 inches deep, one-inch river rock calculates as 200 x 0.167 = 33 cubic feet = 1.2 cubic yards, or about 1.7 tons. Order two tons. Put the extra rock at the front edge in a double layer, since that area is most noticeable and wears thin first.
Rock or mulch over five years
Mulch improves the soil and has a lower delivery cost, but it needs replacing every year or two. River rock costs more at the start and usually keeps a similar appearance through year five. Since rock can warm nearby soil during summer, mulch generally suits planted beds, while rock works well for borders, drainage routes, and edges. Use the same dimensions in both calculators, and the tonnage difference will show the price difference.
River rock cost and coverage questions
How can I figure river rock quantity?
What area does 1 ton of river rock cover?
What coverage comes from 50 lbs of river rock?
What is the cost of a ton of river rock?
What river rock depth should I use?
Is fabric needed beneath river rock?
Can river rock go on top of mulch?
What does a cubic yard of river rock weigh?
More calculators
Planning for a rock bed
River rock, large river rock, and drain rock are available by the ton, with delivery included.
