How much does 1 cubic yard of rock cover?
At 3 in depth, about 108 square feet.
Landscape rock volume is **area × depth**. For US beds and tree rings, measure length and width in feet and depth in inches.
**Imperial formula (rectangle):**
Cubic yards = Length (ft) × Width (ft) × Depth (in) ÷ **324**
**Example — 20×10 ft bed, 3 in river rock:**
20 × 10 × 3 ÷ 324 = **1.85 cubic yards** (50 cu ft)
**Tree ring (circle):**
Volume = π × (radius ft)² × depth (ft)
**Example — 8 ft diameter ring, 3 in deep:**
π × 4² × 0.25 = **12.6 cu ft** (~0.47 cu yd)
**Coverage shortcut:** At 3 in depth, **1 cubic yard covers ~108 sq ft**. At 2 in accent topping, one yard covers ~162 sq ft.
**Metric formula:**
Volume (m³) = Area (m²) × Depth (cm) ÷ 100
Decorative rock is sold **bulk by the cubic yard** or in **bagged cubic feet** at retail. Add **5–15% extra** for spillage, irregular beds, and wheelbarrow loss.
Concise answers for common searches — definitions, steps, and comparisons.
At 3 in depth, about 108 square feet.
3 inches over landscape fabric.
The calculator treats the rocked zone as a flat rectangular prism, total area × depth, or cylinder for tree rings. An optional buffer increases order quantity for spillage and uneven beds.
Formula
cu yd = L(ft) × W(ft) × D(in) ÷ 324 | circle: π × r² × D(ft) ÷ 27 | m³ = area(m²) × D(cm) ÷ 100Tap Accent topping (2 in), Landscape bed (3 in), Dry creek (4 in), or Tree ring — each sets recommended depth. Use bed presets for common rectangle and circle sizes.
Enter length × width for rectangular beds, total square footage for irregular zones, or diameter for tree rings. Measure the rocked area only — not lawn or paths.
Tap depth presets: 2 in for thin accent over fabric, 3 in for standard bed cover, 4 in for dry creek average depth. Avoid piling rock against tree trunks.
Bulk suppliers quote by the cubic yard. Results show ton estimates by stone type when suppliers bill by weight instead of volume.
Enable the buffer for irregular beds and spillage. Enter bag size (0.5 cu ft is common at retail) for bag count — bulk delivery is usually cheaper above ~2 cu yd.
Input
20 ft × 10 ft × 3 inOutput
50 cu ft · 1.85 cu yd20 × 10 × 3 ÷ 324 = 1.85 cu yd.
Input
⌀ 8 ft × 3 inOutput
12.6 cu ft · 0.47 cu ydπ × (4 ft)² × 0.25 ft = 12.57 cu ft.
Input
200 sq ft × 2 inOutput
33.3 cu ft · 1.23 cu ydThin accent layer over landscape fabric.
Input
25 m² × 7 cmOutput
1.75 m³ · 1,750 L25 × 0.07 m depth = 1.75 cubic meters.
Common real-world scenarios where this tool saves time.
20×10 ft bed at 3 in river rock: 200 × 3 ÷ 12 = 50 cu ft → ~1.85 cu yd. Order 2 yards with buffer. Install edging and fabric before spreading stone.
8 ft diameter ring at 3 in: ~12.6 cu ft (~0.47 cu yd). Keep rock 2–4 in from trunk bark. Use circle mode for accurate volume.
40 ft creek averaging 3 ft wide at 4 in depth: ~120 sq ft × 4 in ÷ 12 = 40 cu ft → ~1.48 cu yd. Variable depth creeks — measure average width and depth.
25 m² bed at 7 cm: 25 × 0.07 = 1.75 m³. Useful when EU suppliers quote bulk bags in litres or tonnes.
Step-by-step chains that connect related tools for common tasks.
From measurement to delivery in four steps.
Coordinate hardscape materials.
| Depth | Sq ft per cu yd | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| 2 in | 162 | Accent topping over fabric |
| 3 in | 108 | Standard landscape bed |
| 4 in | 81 | Dry creek average depth |
Formula: 324 ÷ depth (inches) = sq ft per cubic yard.
| Factor | Landscape rock | Mulch |
|---|---|---|
| Weed suppression | Good with fabric | Good at 3 in depth |
| Soil improvement | None — inert | Adds organic matter |
| Heat retention | Higher — radiates heat | Moderate |
| Refresh cycle | Years — occasional top-up | Annual top-dress |
Install steel or plastic edging to contain stone and keep it out of lawn and mower paths.
Above ~2 cu yd, bulk delivery usually beats bagged retail per cubic foot — if you have wheelbarrow access.
Hose rock before spreading if it arrives dusty — wet stone shows true color and settles better.
Fabric under rock blocks most weeds. Without it, stone mixes into soil and is hard to refresh later.
Keep decorative stone **2–4 in from bark**. Moisture trapped against trunks causes rot — same risk as volcano mulch.
Round decorative rock shifts under tires. Driveways need **crushed angular stone** — use the Gravel Calculator instead.
River rock is less dense than limestone. Ask your supplier for **tons per cubic yard** for your specific stone.
Measure the **bed footprint** only — the zone you will actually cover with rock.
Advertisement
At 3 in depth, 10×10 ft = 100 sq ft. Volume = 100 × 3 ÷ 12 = 25 cu ft, or about 0.93 cubic yards. Round up to 1 yard for bulk or check bag count at retail.
2 in for accent topping over fabric, 3 in for standard bed cover, 4 in average for dry creek beds. Avoid depths over 4 in in planting beds — roots need soil contact.
Divide 324 by depth in inches. At 3 in, one yard covers 108 sq ft. At 2 in, 162 sq ft. At 4 in, 81 sq ft.
Depends on stone type. River rock and lava rock are lighter (~1.0–1.3 tons/yd³); limestone and granite heavier (~1.4–1.6 tons/yd³). Confirm with your supplier.
Under ~1 cubic yard, bags are simpler. Above 2–3 cubic yards, bulk delivery usually costs less per cubic foot if you can receive a truck dump.
Yes for most beds. Fabric blocks weeds and keeps stone from sinking into soil. Cut X-slits for existing plants rather than piling rock against trunks.
Use Tree ring (⌀) mode. An 8 ft ring at 3 in needs about 12.6 cu ft (0.47 cu yd). Keep rock away from the trunk bark.
Landscape rock usually means decorative river rock, pea gravel, or lava stone for beds. Gravel often means crushed angular stone for paths and structural bases — see the Gravel Calculator for paths and driveways.
Bed dimensions and depth values are processed only in your browser — EverydayTools does not collect or store your measurements.
Volume estimates only — not landscape contracting or structural engineering. Confirm order quantities with your supplier.
Advertisement
Reviewed on 2026-06-28.
Same workflow or intent — pick the next step without leaving the site.
Free mulch calculator: enter bed size or square footage and depth → cubic yards, cubic feet, liters, and bag counts. Depth presets, coverage tables, optional buffer. Imperial or metric. Runs locally in your browser.
Free gravel calculator: path, patio, or driveway footprint and depth → cubic yards, ton estimates, cubic feet, liters, and bag counts. Use-case depth guide, round pad mode, compaction buffer. Runs locally in your browser.
Free sod calculator: lawn area and pallet size → pallets and rolls to order. Lawn presets, trim buffer, sq ft per pallet from your farm tag. Imperial or metric. Runs locally in your browser.
Free paver calculator: patio area, paver size, and cut waste → paver count, boxes, and pallets. Backyard patio presets, ICPI waste guidance, imperial or metric. Runs locally in your browser.
Free sand calculator: patio footprint and bedding depth → cubic yards, bags, and bulk vs bag guidance. Paver bedding presets, round patio mode, order buffer. Imperial or metric. Runs locally in your browser.
Free gravel depth calculator: path or pad footprint and layer depth → cubic yards, bags, and coverage tables. Walkway, driveway, and paver base presets with compaction buffer. Imperial or metric. Runs locally in your browser.
Frequently opened tools from the same category.
Calculate BMI from height and weight using metric or imperial units. See BMI category ranges and use it as a quick screening estimate. Runs locally in your browser when supported—no upload required for normal use.
Estimate daily calories using the Mifflin-St Jeor BMR formula and TDEE activity multipliers for maintenance, weight loss, or weight gain. Runs locally in your browser when supported—no upload required for normal use.
Free tip calculator — find tip amount, bill + tip total, and per-person share. Presets for common percentages (10%, 15%, 20%), custom %, and equal split. Runs in your browser. No signup.
What is 20% of 500? Percent increase, decrease, difference, reverse %, markup & margin—runs locally in your browser, no upload. Copy results or share a link.
Cross-category tools others open in the same session.
Free JSON formatter — paste minified or messy JSON and instantly get beautified, indented output with syntax highlighting and error detection. Browser-based, no server upload. Runs locally in your browser when supported—no upload required for normal use.
Compress JPG, PNG & WebP in your browser—up to 80% smaller, batch 25 files, 50/100/200 KB presets. Files stay on your device. No signup.
Free PDF merger — combine multiple PDF files into one document. Drag to reorder files, preview pages, and download the merged PDF instantly. No signup, fully browser-based. Runs locally in your browser when supported—no upload required for normal use.
Instantly count words, characters, sentences, paragraphs, and reading time. Great for essays, articles, and SEO writing. No signup — works as you type. Runs locally in your browser when supported—no upload required for normal use.
Guides and walkthroughs that reference this tool.
10 free browser calculators: BMI, tip, discount, overtime, GPA, compound interest. No upload—runs locally. No signup.
2026 roundup of BMI calculators—EverydayTools, CDC, NIH, Healthline, and Calculator.net compared on accuracy, privacy, units, and clinical context.
Browse full tool collections by topic.
Rock use case
3 in — standard river rock or pea gravel cover.
Rock depth presets
2 in accent topping; 3 in standard bed cover; 4 in dry creek average depth.
Bagged decorative rock — often 0.5 cu ft at retail. Leave blank to skip bag count.
1 cubic yard covers
| Depth | Sq ft |
|---|---|
| 1 in | 324 |
| 2 in | 162 |
| 3 in | 108 |
| 4 in | 81 |
Bag coverage at 3 in depth
| Bag | Covers | Per cu yd |
|---|---|---|
| 1 cu ft bag | 4 sq ft | 27 bags |
| 1.5 cu ft (40 L) | 6 sq ft | 18 bags |
| 2 cu ft bag | 8 sq ft | 14 bags |
| 3 cu ft bag | 12 sq ft | 9 bags |