River rock calculator
Estimate river rock for drainage, beds and dry creek beds. Returns yards, tons, bags and cost.
Short answer: cu yd = (L × W × depth/12) ÷ 27. Tons = cu yd × 1.45. Small bag ≈ 0.5 cu ft. 15 × 4 ft × 3" = 15 cu ft ≈ 0.56 cu yd ≈ 0.8 tons = 30 bags. Enter your measurements above and the river rock calculator returns the quantity, unit conversions and an estimated cost instantly, in imperial or metric — no sign-up needed.
What do you need to measure?
What is the answer?
How does the river rock calculator work?
cu yd = (L × W × depth/12) ÷ 27. Tons = cu yd × 1.45. Small bag ≈ 0.5 cu ft.
What does a worked example look like?
15 × 4 ft × 3" = 15 cu ft ≈ 0.56 cu yd ≈ 0.8 tons = 30 bags.
What do people ask most?
›How many bags of river rock in a cubic yard?
About 54 bags of 0.5 cu ft equal one cubic yard.
›How deep for drainage?
4–6" over landscape fabric for a French drain or dry creek bed.
Which yard & landscape calculator should you use next?
Where can you learn more?
Read field notes on estimating and materials, or browse every calculator we make.
What should you read before you order materials?
Field notes from real jobs that explain the numbers behind this calculator.