River rock calculator
Short answer
River rock weighs about 1.45 tons per cubic yard. Covering 100 sq ft at 3 inches deep takes about 0.93 cubic yards (1.34 tons).
Weight per yard
1.45 tons
Best for
Decorative rock
River rock coverage per cubic yard
| Depth | 1 yd³ covers |
|---|---|
| 2" | 162 sq ft |
| 3" | 108 sq ft |
| 4" | 81 sq ft |
| 6" | 54 sq ft |
How much river rock do you need
River rock weighs about 1.45 tons per cubic yard, and suppliers sell it by the ton or the yard. One cubic yard spread 3 inches deep covers roughly 108 square feet — go deeper and a yard covers less. To order, take your area, pick a depth, and convert to yards (area × depth ÷ 12 ÷ 27).
River rock is typically used for decorative rock. A decorative top layer needs only 2–3 inches, while a driveway or drainage base wants 4–6 inches of compacted material — so the same area can need twice the river rock depending on the job.
Bulk delivery by the ton or yard is far cheaper per unit than bagged river rock for anything bigger than a small top-up. The table below compares river rock against the other common aggregates by weight so you can gauge delivery tonnage.
What drives the amount
| Factor | Effect |
|---|---|
| Area | Length × width of the space you are covering |
| Depth | 2" tops up a bed; 3–4" for a path; 4–6"+ for a driveway or drainage base |
| Material density | River rock runs ~1.45 tons/yd³ — how your yards convert to the tons suppliers bill |
| Compaction & moisture | Wet or compacted material weighs more; base layers settle, so order a little extra |
| Delivery vs bags | Bulk by the ton or yard is cheaper for big areas; bags suit small top-ups |
| Edging & waste | Uneven ground and edging losses add roughly 10% over the bare area |
Aggregate weight by material
| Material | Weight / yd³ | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| River rock | 1.45 tons | Decorative rock |
| Gravel | 1.42 tons | Pea gravel / general gravel |
| Crushed stone | 1.35 tons | Driveway base, #57 stone |
| Sand | 1.35 tons | Fill / paver sand |
| Topsoil | 1.1 tons | Screened, dry |
| Mulch | 0.4 tons | Wood / bark mulch |
Ordering tips
- Order river rock by the cubic yard for anything bigger than a few square feet — bags cost far more per yard.
- Measure the area and settle on a depth first; depth, not area, is what people under-order.
- Add about 10% for settling, compaction, and uneven ground so you are not left short.
- Enter your area and depth in the calculator for an exact river rock yardage, tonnage, and bag count.
Your project
Calculate river rockOther materials
Frequently asked questions
How much does a yard of river rock weigh?
About 1.45 tons per cubic yard (2,900 lbs), give or take with moisture.
How much area does a yard of river rock cover?
One cubic yard covers about 108 sq ft at 3 inches deep, or half that at 6 inches. Enter your area and depth in the calculator for an exact figure.
How many yards of river rock do I need?
Multiply the area (sq ft) by the depth in feet, then divide by 27. The calculator does this and also gives the weight in tons, which is how bulk river rock is sold.