Sawhorse Calc

Landscape rock calculator

Enter the size of the area and the depth, then choose the stone. You get tons, cubic yards, bags and cost, in feet or metres.

Area to fill

Lengths in feet. You can also type 12' 6" or 6 in.Lengths in metres.

Depth and material

The weight and bag size are typical figures. Type your supplier's if you have them.

Cost (optional)

1.94 cubic yards

Cubic feet
52.5
Tons
2.72
Bags
105

How to work it out

  1. Measure each area, and add a separate one for each bed or border.
  2. Choose a depth. Most decorative rock looks best at 2 to 3 inches.
  3. Choose the stone, then type your supplier's weight if they give one.
  4. Order a little extra for uneven ground. The calculator starts with 5%.

How deep to go

JobTypical depth
Decorative beds and borders2 to 3 in
Paths2 to 3 in, over a compacted base
Larger decorative stone3 to 4 in

These are common starting points. Your site, climate and supplier may call for something different.

What one cubic yard covers

DepthArea covered
1 in324 sq ft
2 in162 sq ft
3 in108 sq ft
4 in81 sq ft
6 in54 sq ft

Lava rock is much lighter

Lava rock weighs far less per yard than river rock or gravel, so a ton covers much more ground. If you are buying lava rock, use your supplier's weight rather than the starting figure.

Common questions

How do I work out how much landscape rock I need?

Multiply length by width to get the area, multiply by the depth in feet, and divide by 27 for cubic yards. Multiply by the weight per yard to get tons.

How many bags of landscape rock make a yard?

54 bags of 0.5 cubic feet. For more than a yard, bulk delivery is usually cheaper.

Is landscape rock better than mulch?

Rock does not break down, so it rarely needs topping up, but it adds no nutrients and heats up in the sun. Mulch feeds the soil but needs replacing. The mulch calculator works out that option.

Doing this job for a customer? Turn your numbers into a free written estimate on QuoteToPaid.

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