River Rock Calculator
Estimate the volume and weight of river rock needed for landscaping, drainage, and decorative projects.
River Rock Calculator - Calculate Volume & Weight for Landscape Projects
The river rock calculator helps you determine the exact volume and weight of river rock needed for landscaping, drainage, and decorative projects. River rock offers unique aesthetic appeal while providing functional benefits for erosion control and water feature design.
River rock comes in various sizes from 1-2 inches to larger decorative stones. This calculator accounts for material type and density to provide accurate volume estimates in cubic yards and weight in tons. For complementary materials, you may also need our pea gravel calculator or stone coverage calculator for layered landscaping designs.
River rock is ideal for pond edging, water features, stream beds, and decorative landscaping. Its rounded shape prevents sharp edges while providing excellent drainage for low-lying areas. The calculator helps you estimate both decorative river rock for surface coverage and bulk quantities for structural applications like drainage systems or foundation stabilization.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much river rock do I need?
Measure your project area's length, width, and desired depth in feet. Multiply to get cubic feet, then divide by 27 for cubic yards. A 10×10 ft area at 3 inches deep needs approximately 0.93 cubic yards. Our calculator automates this process for any size project.
What is river rock best used for?
River rock is excellent for water features and ponds (due to its smooth surface), decorative landscaping borders, erosion control on slopes, and accent areas in gardens. Its rounded shape makes it more decorative than functional compared to angular crushed stone, so use it where aesthetics matter.
How much does river rock weigh per cubic yard?
River rock typically weighs 1.4-1.5 tons per cubic yard, depending on size and moisture content. Larger stones weigh more per volume than smaller decorative river pebbles. The calculator provides weight estimates based on the specific type and size of river rock you select.
Can river rock be used for driveway base?
Not recommended. River rock's rounded shape doesn't compact well or interlock, making it unstable for driveways or load-bearing applications. Use angular crushed stone for bases. River rock is best reserved for decorative and low-load applications.
How deep should river rock be for landscaping?
For decorative applications, 2-3 inches is standard. For water feature edging or accent areas, 3-4 inches provides better coverage and visual impact. For erosion control on slopes, 4-6 inches may be needed depending on soil stability. Adjust depth in the calculator to see coverage at different depths.