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River Rock Calculator

Estimate tons and cubic yards of river rock for beds, dry creek beds, and ground cover, with density adjusted for stone size.

Formula and figures last reviewed by the Cosyslabs team · how we verify

Inputs

Result

River rock needed
1.00 tons
Volume
0.78 yd³
Weight
1995 lb
Coverage
120 ft² at 2.0 in
Density used
95 lb/ft³
Waste
5%

Waste default: 5% — Five percent covers settling and the spread beyond the marked edge.

Estimates only. Verify with a licensed contractor or supplier before purchasing. Rough Estimator! is not responsible for shortages, overages, or material variances. See our methodology for formulas and sources.

Formula

Volume ft³ = L × W × (D in ÷ 12) × (1 + waste)   ·   Tons = ft³ × density ÷ 2000

References

  1. ASTM D448 — Standard Sizes of Aggregate for Road and Bridge Construction
  2. USDA NRCS — Landscape mulch and ground cover guidance

Related tools & materials

Don't forget

  • Landscape fabric
  • Edging
  • Fabric staples

Frequently asked questions

Multiply length by width by depth in feet, then by about 95 lb/ft³ and divide by 2,000 for tons. A 20 × 6 ft bed at 2 inches deep needs roughly 0.95 tons, or about two-thirds of a cubic yard.
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Cite this page

Cosyslabs. (2026). River Rock Calculator. Rough Estimator!. https://roughestimator.com/river-rock-calculator

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