River rock calculator for New Mexico
Rock size changes the area a ton will cover: 3-inch material covers half as much as 1-inch material per ton.
Enter your project dimensions
River rock coverage is determined by stone size. To conceal the ground, plan a layer near twice the stone diameter: 1-inch rock is placed 2 inches deep, while 3-inch rock takes 4 inches or more. The tonnage stays the same, but the covered area is cut in half. This calculator does the math by using your selected size and bed measurements, based on river rock at 2,700 lb per cubic yard. The delivery pile may appear smaller than expected. A ton occupies just three-quarters of a cubic yard, and visible fabric after spreading usually means the layer is too shallow rather than the order being too small.
Plan the order
- Record the feet for every bed and border. Multiple-areas mode adds separate spaces together.
- For coverage, use about double the rock diameter: 2 inches with 3/4 to 1 inch material, 3 to 4 inches with 1 to 3 inch rock, and 4 to 5 inches for larger pieces.
- Convert cubic feet to cubic yards by dividing by 27, then calculate tons by multiplying the yardage by 1.35.
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
Bare ground lets rock settle gradually into the soil, while weeds can come up through the gaps. After three years, the bed may need more material. Put non-woven fabric down first, hold it with pins, and add the rock above it. For drain rock that carries water, use fabric to enclose the stone rather than placing it underneath.
Natural-looking rock bed ideas
- Use a 1-2 inch layer as the field, then set larger stones in small groups. A single stone size can give the area a median-like look.
- For a dry creek bed, set the largest anchor rocks about a third of their depth below grade to create a water-worn appearance.
- After placing the rock, rinse it with a hose. The dust that comes with delivered stone can mute the color before washing.
- For foundation borders, lay fabric beneath a 3-4 inch rock layer and slope it gently outward from the wall. This creates a neat edge while carrying roof runoff along the surface.
- Set a leaf blower to low for clearing debris. A rake can toss rock into turf, where mower blades may strike it afterward.
Example: a 200-square-foot bed
At 2 inches deep, one-inch river rock calculation: 200 x 0.167 = 33 cubic feet = 1.2 cubic yards, or about 1.7 tons. Buy two tons. Place the remaining material along the front edge for added depth, since that area is most noticeable and wears thin first.
Rock or mulch over five years
Mulch improves soil and has a lower cost per delivery, but needs renewing every year or two. River rock is a higher initial cost and generally keeps its appearance through year five. Because it can heat nearby soil during summer, mulch is usually better in planted beds, while rock suits borders, drainage routes, and edges. Enter identical measurements in both calculators to compare tonnage and see the price difference.
Questions about river rock coverage and pricing
How can I calculate my river rock quantity?
What area does 1 ton of river rock cover?
What coverage comes from 50 lbs of river rock?
What is the cost of a ton of river rock?
What depth should river rock be?
Is landscape fabric needed beneath river rock?
Can river rock be installed over mulch?
What does a yard of river rock weigh?
Other calculators
Long-term rock bed planning
Order river rock, large river rock, or drain rock by the ton, with free delivery included.
