River rock calculator for Maine
Coverage per ton depends on stone size: 3-inch rock covers about half the area that 1-inch rock covers.
Enter your project dimensions
River rock coverage depends on the stone size. To keep the ground concealed, make the layer about twice the stone diameter: 1-inch rock needs 2 inches, while 3-inch stone calls for 4 inches or more. With the same ton, the larger rock covers half as much space. Choose a size and enter the bed measurements, and the calculator uses river rock's 2,700 lb per cubic yard to determine tons. The delivered amount can seem smaller than expected. One ton is only three-quarters of a cubic yard. If fabric shows after the rock is spread, the layer is too shallow, not short on material.
Planning your order
- Take bed and border measurements in feet, then let multiple-areas mode combine the separate sections.
- For rock measuring 3/4 to 1 inch, use 2 inches of depth. Use 3 to 4 inches with 1 to 3 inch rock, or 4 to 5 inches for larger material.
- Convert cubic feet to cubic yards by dividing by 27, then multiply yards × 1.35 for tons.
Per-ton coverage by stone 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 the rock
Leaving out landscape fabric lets river rock settle into bare ground over time. Weeds can come up between the stones, and after three years the bed may need more rock. On Maine's glacial till, place non-woven fabric first, hold it with pins, and spread the rock over it. When drain rock is used in an active drainage route, fold the fabric around the stone rather than laying it below.
Natural-looking rock bed ideas
- Use a 1-2 inch base, then group larger stones through it. A single stone size can have the look of a parking lot median.
- For a dry creek bed, sink the largest anchor stones a third of their depth to give them a water-worn look.
- After installation, rinse the stone with a hose. Dust from delivery can mute the color until it washes off.
- At a foundation, lay 3 to 4 inches of stone on fabric and grade it gently away from the wall. The bed gives a tidy finish while directing roof runoff along its surface.
- Clear leaves with a low blower setting. Raking can toss rock into the grass, where it may meet mower blades.
Worked calculation: a 200-square-foot bed
For one-inch river rock installed 2 inches deep, 200 x 0.167 = 33 cubic feet = 1.2 cubic yards, or about 1.7 tons. Order two tons. Use the extra to deepen the front edge, where the rock is most visible and tends to thin first.
Rock or mulch over five years
Mulch adds to the soil and has a lower delivery cost, but it needs replacing every year or two. River rock costs more at the start and generally keeps its look through year five. Since rock can warm nearby soil in summer, mulch is often better in planted beds, while rock works well at borders, drainage routes, and edges. Use identical dimensions in both calculators to see how tonnage changes the price.
River rock coverage and pricing FAQs
How can I figure out the river rock I need?
What area will 1 ton of river rock cover?
What coverage do 50 lbs of river rock provide?
What is the price of a ton of river rock?
What depth should river rock have?
Is landscape fabric necessary under river rock?
Can river rock be installed over mulch?
What does a yard of river rock weigh?
More calculators
Planning a rock bed
River rock, large river rock, and drain rock available by the ton with free delivery included.
