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?
Cubic yards
0.56
Tons
0.81
≈ 1.45 t/yd³
0.5 cu ft bags
30
$73
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.