Coverage by depth
Area (sq ft) = cubic feet ÷ (depth in inches ÷ 12). One cubic yard is 27 cubic feet.
| Depth | 1 ton covers (sq ft) | 1 cu yd covers (sq ft) | 1 ton covers (m²) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 in | 231 | 324 | 21.5 |
| 2 in | 116 | 162 | 10.8 |
| 3 in | 77 | 108 | 7.2 |
| 4 in | 58 | 81 | 5.4 |
| 6 in | 39 | 54 | 3.6 |
| 8 in | 29 | 40 | 2.7 |
| 12 in | 19 | 27 | 1.8 |
Ton figures use 1.40 tons per cubic yard of river rock.
Plan for settling
Earthstone lists 2 to 4 inches for decorative river rock beds. Loose material settles once it is walked on or compacted, so order a little more than the bare volume. Rochester Concrete Products' install guide adds 10% for compaction and uneven ground.
Common questions
How much does a ton of river rock cover at 2 inches?
About 116 sq ft.
How much does a yard of river rock cover at 3 inches?
About 108 sq ft. One cubic yard covers 108 sq ft at 3 inches whatever the material.
How deep should river rock be?
Earthstone lists 2 to 4 inches for decorative river rock beds.
Sources
- https://hellogravel.com/guides/2025-gravel-prices-per-ton-delivered-cost-calculator-and-regional-rates/
- https://www.earthstonerock.com/pages/frequently-asked-questions
- https://rochestercp.com/resources/installation-manuals/installation-manual-vintage-6.pdf