How Much Does 20 Tons of River Rock Cover?
How much does 20 tons of river rock cover depends on how deep you spread it. At about 1.35 tons per cubic yard, 20 tons is roughly 14.8 cubic yards. Spread 3 inches deep, that covers about 1,600 square feet. Halve the depth and you roughly double the area.
Volume and tonnage calculator →How the coverage is figured
- Tons to cubic yards: 20 ÷ 1.35 = 14.8 yd³.
- Cubic yards to cubic feet: × 27 = 400 cu ft.
- Divide by depth in feet: at 3 inches (0.250 ft), 400 ÷ 0.250 = 1,600 sq ft.
Coverage of 20 tons at different depths
| Depth | Square feet covered | Square yards |
|---|---|---|
| 2 in | 2,400 | 267 |
| 3 in | 1,600 | 178 |
| 4 in | 1,200 | 133 |
About river rock
River rock is smooth, water-worn stone sold in sizes from about 3/4 inch to several inches. Larger sizes cover fewer square feet per ton at the same depth because the voids between stones are bigger. Weight runs about 1.25 to 1.45 tons per cubic yard, so treat the table as a planning range rather than an exact figure.
Putting 20 tons to use
For delivery, 20 tons means multiple trips or a larger truck. Ask the supplier how they will split it. Spread from the pile with a loader, skid steer or wheelbarrow, then rake to depth before compacting if the material calls for it.
- Check depth as you go. Stakes marked at the target depth help keep the spread even.
- Expect some loss. Compaction and uneven ground use more than the flat-math figure. Keep about 10 percent in reserve.
- Ask about moisture. Wet material weighs more, so a ton of it covers less.
To run your own numbers, use the volume and tonnage calculator.
Good and poor uses for river rock
Good uses:
- Dry creek beds and drainage swales
- Decorative borders and planting beds
- Around downspouts to stop splash erosion
Less suited to:
- Walking surfaces
- Driveways
- Bases under slabs or pavers
Quick reference numbers
- Per inch over 100 sq ft: about 0.42 tons of river rock (0.31 cubic yards).
- Per inch over 1,000 sq ft: about 4.2 tons.
- Another size for comparison: a 14x28 area at 4 inches takes about 6.5 tons.
- Weight used here: about 1.35 tons per cubic yard.
Mistakes that throw off the order
- Assuming every supplier uses the same weight. Two yards selling the same product name can quote different tons per yard.
- Skipping drainage. Water sitting under any surface softens the base and leads to ruts and potholes.
- Ignoring the base. A thin surface layer over soft soil fails early no matter how much material is on top.
- Forgetting that compaction shrinks loose material. A loose 4-inch spread of a dense-graded stone may finish closer to 3 inches after rolling.
Questions people ask
How many cubic yards is 20 tons of river rock?
About 14.8 cubic yards at 1.35 tons per yard.
How many square feet does 20 tons of river rock cover at 3 inches?
About 1,600 square feet.
How many square feet does 20 tons cover at 2 inches?
About 2,400 square feet.
How much does a yard of river rock weigh?
About 1.25 to 1.45 tons.
Will 20 tons fit in one truck?
It depends on the truck. Single-axle dump trucks often carry under 10 tons and tandems around 13 to 16; your supplier will know their limits.
Related guides
- How Much Does a Ton of River Rock Cover?
- Tons to Cubic Yards for Gravel: Conversion Chart
- How Many Tons of Gravel in a Dump Truck? Loads and Coverage
- How Much Does 18 Tons of River Rock Cover?
- How Much Does 19 Tons of River Rock Cover?
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