Free tool
Landscape Rock Calculator
Measure the beds or the feature, pick a depth, and this works out the cubic yards. Decorative rock is sold by the cubic yard, so this is the number you order with.
What are you working on?
Choose the shape that best matches your area.
Enter your measurements
Use feet or metres. We’ll do the math.
How deep do you want it?
Common depths shown for each material.
Choose your material
Select a material to see product-specific recommendations.
Also need fabric?
Landscape fabric goes under the rock, and it is measured differently
Fabric is sold by the linear foot off a roll, so the amount depends on the roll width and the overlap at the seams. The fabric calculator lays out the strips and gives you the length to order.
Quantity Help
Area and depth in, cubic yards out — settling allowance included.
Complete Pricing
Product, service, delivery and tax, before you order.
Delivered or Loaded
We bring it to you, or load your open pickup at the yard.
We Make It Right
If something goes wrong with the part we handle, we fix it.
Getting the depth right
- Larger stone needs a deeper layer to cover the ground. A 2½ inch rock at 2 inches deep is a single layer with gaps in it.
- Put a ground-cover fabric down first. Rock without it works its way into the soil and you are buying it twice.
- Rock beds are not walking routes. If people will cross it regularly, a compacted pathway material is the better choice.
The maths behind it
Length times width gives square feet. Multiply that by the depth in inches, then divide by 324. The answer is cubic yards. One cubic yard covers 324 square feet at 1 inch deep, or 100 square feet at about 3¼ inches deep.
The 324 comes from a cubic yard being 27 cubic feet, and 27 times 12 inches is 324. Nothing else is going on, which is why you can check this calculator against a tape measure and a phone.
Materials this suits
Limestone Landscape Rock 7/8"
Smaller grey limestone for beds and loose pathways
Decorative garden beds · Landscape borders and feature areas
Washed Drain Rock 3/4"-2"
Larger washed rock for dry creeks, beds, and drainage
Decorative garden beds and landscape borders · Dry creek and riverbed-style landscape features
River Rock - 3"-6"
Large rounded stone for creeks and landscape features
Dry creek beds · Decorative drainage swales
Red Lava - 3/8"-1"
Red lava rock 3/8-to-3/4-inch for landscaping.
Decorative garden beds · Around trees and shrubs
Black Lava Rock
Deep-black lava rock for lasting garden contrast
Decorative garden beds · Borders and edging
Common questions
How much landscape rock do I need?
Multiply the length by the width in feet, multiply that by the depth in inches, then divide by 324. A 300 square foot bed at 3 inches deep needs about 2.8 cubic yards.
How deep should decorative rock be?
Three inches for rock up to about 1 inch across. Larger stone needs 4 inches or more, because the layer has to be at least a couple of stones thick to hide the ground.
How much does a yard of rock cover?
One cubic yard covers about 100 square feet at 3 inches deep. Larger river rock covers less, because it is laid deeper.
Should I put fabric under landscape rock?
Yes. A ground-cover fabric keeps the rock out of the soil and stops most weeds coming up through it. It is the cheapest part of the job and the one people skip.