How much river rock you need
Cubic yards = length (ft) × width (ft) × depth (in) ÷ 12 ÷ 27. Tons = cubic yards × 1.40.
Example: a 10 × 10 ft area at 3 inches deep is 25.0 cubic feet, or 0.93 cubic yards. At 1.40 tons per cubic yard that is 1.30 tons, or 50 bags of 0.5 cu ft.
Earthstone lists 2 to 4 inches for decorative river rock beds.
How far one yard and one ton go
| Depth | 1 cubic yard covers | 1 ton covers |
|---|---|---|
| 1 in | 324 sq ft | 231 sq ft |
| 2 in | 162 sq ft | 116 sq ft |
| 3 in | 108 sq ft | 77 sq ft |
| 4 in | 81 sq ft | 58 sq ft |
| 6 in | 54 sq ft | 39 sq ft |
Ton figures use 1.40 tons per cubic yard.
Weight and price
Hello Gravel's density table lists river rock at 1.4 tons per cubic yard.
HomeGuide puts river rock at $45 to $130 per ton and $50 to $160 per cubic yard. The price box above starts at the middle of that range; type in your supplier's quote for a real number.
Common questions
How many tons are in a cubic yard of river rock?
About 1.40 tons. Hello Gravel's density table lists river rock at 1.4 tons per cubic yard.
How much area does a ton of river rock cover?
About 116 sq ft at 2 inches deep, or 77 sq ft at 3 inches.
How much does river rock cost?
HomeGuide puts river rock at $45 to $130 per ton and $50 to $160 per cubic yard. Delivery is often extra.
Sources
- https://hellogravel.com/guides/2025-gravel-prices-per-ton-delivered-cost-calculator-and-regional-rates/
- https://homeguide.com/costs/gravel-prices
- https://www.earthstonerock.com/pages/frequently-asked-questions