River Rock Calculator
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River rock is larger, smooth, rounded stone (roughly 1–2 in / 25–50 mm and up). It's decorative and heavy per stone, used more for looks and drainage than for walking on.
Area preview
Weight
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Volume
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Bags needed
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Area: -
💡 Order about 10% extra - settling and spills eat into every load.
⚠️ Enter the full depth - a thin layer scatters and sinks.
What river rock is best for
- Dry creek beds and drainage swales
- Decorative borders and bed toppings
- Around downspouts to disperse runoff
- Low-maintenance ground cover
How much river rock do you need?
2–3 in (5–8 cm) gives full coverage for a decorative bed. Larger stones need the deeper end so the ground doesn't show through.
River rock is lighter per volume than pea or crushed stone at about 1.5 t/m³ (roughly 1.25 tons per cubic yard) because the big rounded stones pack with more air gaps. The calculator accounts for that with the material's own density.
Frequently asked questions
- How much river rock do I need per square foot?
- At a 2 in depth, one cubic yard covers about 160 sq ft. Enter your exact area and depth and the calculator gives tons and bags.
- River rock vs pea gravel - which should I use?
- Pea gravel is smaller and walkable for paths; river rock is larger and decorative, better for borders, dry creek beds and drainage than for walking surfaces.
- Do I need landscape fabric under river rock?
- It's recommended - fabric suppresses weeds and stops the heavy stones from sinking into the soil over time.