Sawhorse Calc

River rock calculator

Enter the size of each bed or border and the depth. 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 bed or border. Use a circle for tree rings.
  2. Choose a depth. Bigger stones need a deeper layer to cover the ground.
  3. Check the weight with your supplier. River rock is usually sold by the ton.
  4. Lay landscape fabric underneath to keep the rock from sinking into the soil.

How deep to go

JobTypical depth
Small rock, about ¾ to 1½ in2 to 3 in
Larger rock, about 2 to 4 in3 to 4 in
Dry creek bed4 in or more, with larger stones placed by hand

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

Why the weight is only an estimate

The calculator starts at 1.4 tons per cubic yard. The real weight depends on the stone and its size. If your supplier gives you a number, type it in.

Common questions

How much river rock do I need?

Multiply the area by the depth. 100 sq ft at 3 inches deep needs 25 cubic feet, about 0.93 cubic yards, or roughly 1.3 tons at 1.4 tons per yard.

How much area does a ton of river rock cover?

At 1.4 tons per cubic yard and 2 inches deep, a ton covers roughly 115 sq ft. At 3 inches, about 77 sq ft.

Does river rock need fabric underneath?

It is not required, but landscape fabric helps stop the rock sinking into the soil and slows weeds coming up between the stones.

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

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