How Much River Rock Do I Need?
Method to size a river rock order in cubic yards, tons, and bags for ground cover, dry creek beds, and decorative borders.
A 100 sq ft bed at 3 inches of river rock takes about 0.9 cubic yards, roughly 1.2 tons or 54 bags at 50 lb per bag. For decorative coverage where you want stones to hide fabric, plan on 3 to 4 inches deep.
Sizing an order
Multiply length x width x depth in feet for cubic feet, divide by 27 for cubic yards. For a 25 x 6 ft dry creek bed at 4 inches deep: 25 x 6 x (4/12) = 50 cu ft = 1.9 cubic yards, or about 2.6 tons.
Depth for coverage
2 inches leaves patches of fabric or soil showing through. 3 inches is a solid single layer. 4 to 6 inches is a decorative fill that hides fabric completely and lets you sculpt the surface.
Ready to run the numbers?
Use the river rock calculator to get a specific quantity for your project.
Open the river rock calculator →Related guides
Last reviewed . Educational estimates only; local conditions and codes take precedence. Consult a qualified professional for site-specific decisions.