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River Rock Calculator

Calculate river rock for landscape beds, dry creek beds, drainage swales, and decorative ground cover. Smooth tumbled stones in 1-3 inch sizes — exact cubic yards and cost.

You'll need
1.48 cu yd · 20 bags
Cost
$150–$300
Project details
Areas
Area 1
LengthWidthside viewDepth
Area: 160 sq ftVolume: 40 cu ft
Total160 sq ft · 40.00 cu ft
Material
River Rock (1–3 inch) · Decorative landscape stone. Smooth, doesn't break down.
Default depth: 3"Density: ~105 lbs/cu ftCompaction: 5% extra
How you'll buy it
💡 Bulk delivery recommended
Your project is ≥1 cubic yard — bulk is usually half the cost of 20 bags.

Leave blank to use estimate

Default: $100–$200/yd

Typical: $50–$120

Extras

Plastic, metal, or stone edging

Cost breakdown

Showing bulk delivery pricing (recommended for your volume).
River Rock (1–3 inch) · 1.50 cu yd$150 – $300
Total project cost$150 – $300
💡 Comparison: 20 bags would cost $120 – $240; bulk (1.50 yd) would cost $150 – $300.

Shopping list

Everything you need for this project.
  • River Rock (1–3 inch) (bulk delivery)1.50 cu yd
  • Wheelbarrow1
  • Garden rake & flat shovel1 set
  • Gloves1 pair
  • Tamper or hand compactor (for compaction)optional
Ready to buy?
Get quotes from local landscape supply yards.
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Math breakdown

Step-by-step from your inputs.
Area 1 · 20 × 8 × 3"/1240 cu ft
Total volume40.00 cu ft
Cubic yards · ÷ 271.48 cu yd
Bags · ÷ 2 cu ft per bag20 bags
Weight · @ 105 lbs/cu ft4,200 lbs (2.10 tons)

Pro tips

Premium material — premium price. River rock runs $100-$200/yard bulk, 4-10× the cost of crushed gravel. Worth it for visible decorative areas; overkill for hidden drainage.

3-inch depth is the sweet spot. Less than 2 inches looks sparse and soil shows through. More than 4 inches wastes money and the stones tumble around. 3 inches is the visual sweet spot.

Mix sizes for natural look. Most landscape suppliers sell river rock in single sizes (1-2 inch, 2-4 inch, etc.). Mix two adjacent sizes — looks more like an actual riverbed than uniform stones.

Frequently asked questions

How much river rock for a 100 sq ft landscape bed?▾
At 3 inches deep: about 1 cubic yard (1.4 tons). At 4 inches: 1.25 cubic yards. Calculator handles your exact size.
Does river rock keep weeds out?▾
Partially — weeds still seed and grow between stones. Always lay landscape fabric underneath. Even then, plan on occasional weeding 2-3 times per year.
River rock vs. lava rock for landscaping?▾
River rock is heavier, more natural-looking, and stays put. Lava rock is lighter, comes in red or black, and floats away in heavy rain. River rock is better for slopes and high-traffic areas.
Will river rock damage my lawn mower?▾
Yes — river rock that escapes the bed and ends up in turf can chip mower blades. Use sturdy edging and rake stray stones back into the bed regularly.

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Disclaimer. This calculator provides estimates for planning purposes. Actual material quantities and costs may vary based on site conditions, material availability, and local pricing.