River rock calculator for Louisiana
Coverage varies with stone size: 3-inch rock spreads to half the area of 1-inch rock when both weigh a ton.
Enter your project dimensions
River rock coverage depends on the stone size. For ground coverage, use a layer near twice the stone diameter: 1-inch material needs 2 inches, while 3-inch stone calls for 4 inches or more. That means the same ton covers half as much area. Select the size and enter your bed in this calculator to find the required tons, using river rock's 2,700 lb per cubic yard. Keep in mind that a delivered ton makes only three-quarters of a cubic yard, so it can appear smaller than expected. Fabric showing after the rock is spread usually means the layer is too shallow, not that the order was too small.
Planning your order
- In feet, measure each individual bed or border. Multiple-areas mode combines the separate measurements.
- Use a layer about twice the rock diameter: 2 inches for 3/4 to 1 inch rock, 3 to 4 inches for 1 to 3 inch rock, and 4 to 5 inches for larger material.
- To get cubic yards, divide cubic feet by 27; 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
Leave out landscape fabric and the ground gradually takes in the rock. Bare soil lets stones settle a bit each season and weeds push up between them, so after three years the bed may need more rock. Put down non-woven fabric, hold it with pins, and spread the stone on top. For drain rock carrying water through an active drainage route, wrap the fabric around the stone rather than laying it beneath.
Simple ways to make rock beds look natural
- Pair sizes by using a 1 to 2 inch base and grouping bigger stones on top. All one size can give the bed a parking-lot-median look.
- Set the largest anchor stones in dry creek beds a third below grade so they appear to have been shaped into place by water.
- Hose the rock down after spreading it. Dust from handling can dull the color until that first rinse.
- At a foundation, lay 3 to 4 inches on fabric and slope it gently away from the wall. The finished edge helps carry roof water along, especially where wet ground is common.
- Use a blower at low speed to clear leaves. Raking can send stones into the grass, where mower blades may hit them later.
Example: a 200-square-foot bed
For one-inch river rock spread 2 inches deep: 200 x 0.167 = 33 cubic feet = 1.2 cubic yards, or about 1.7 tons. Order two tons. Use the extra to deepen the front border, where coverage is most visible and tends to thin out first.
Rock or mulch over five years
Mulch adds to the soil and has a lower delivery cost, but it needs refreshing every year or two. River rock costs more at the start, then generally keeps the same look through year five. Summer heat can warm soil beside the rock, so mulch is usually better in planted beds, while rock works well at borders, drainage lines, and edges. Enter identical dimensions in both calculators to see how tonnage affects the price difference.
Questions about river rock coverage and pricing
How can I figure out 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 necessary under river rock?
Can river rock be installed over mulch?
What is the weight of a yard of river rock?
Other calculators
Planning for a rock bed.
River rock, large river rock, and drain rock sold by the ton, with free delivery included.
