How Much Does a Yard of River Rock Weigh?
How much does a yard of river rock weigh? A cubic yard of river rock typically weighs about 2,400 to 2,900 pounds, or roughly 1.2 to 1.45 tons. Many suppliers use around 1.3 to 1.4 tons per yard as a working number. Rounded river rock packs with more open space than crushed stone, but the rock itself is dense, so a yard still weighs well over a ton. Wet rock weighs a little more.
Volume and tonnage calculator →Weight by size
| River rock size | Approximate weight per cubic yard |
|---|---|
| Pea gravel, 1/4 to 3/8 inch | About 2,500 to 2,800 lb |
| Small river rock, 3/4 to 1-1/2 inch | About 2,500 to 2,800 lb |
| Medium river rock, 1 to 3 inches | About 2,400 to 2,700 lb |
| Large river rock, 3 to 5 inches | About 2,300 to 2,700 lb |
| Cobbles, 4 to 8 inches | About 2,300 to 2,600 lb |
Exact numbers vary by stone type and moisture. For comparison with other materials, see gravel weight per yard.
Converting tons and yards
Suppliers sell river rock by the ton or by the yard. Useful conversions:
- 1 cubic yard ≈ 1.3 to 1.4 tons for most river rock.
- 1 ton ≈ 0.7 to 0.75 cubic yards.
- 1 cubic yard = 27 cubic feet. See cubic feet to cubic yards.
How much area a yard covers
| Depth | Coverage per cubic yard |
|---|---|
| 1 inch | About 324 sq ft |
| 2 inches | About 162 sq ft |
| 3 inches | About 108 sq ft |
| 4 inches | About 81 sq ft |
Most decorative beds use 2 to 3 inches of small river rock. Larger rock needs more depth to cover the ground because the stones themselves are bigger. Plan on at least 1.5 to 2 times the diameter of the largest stones.
Hauling a yard of river rock
A yard of river rock at around 2,600 pounds exceeds the payload of many half-ton pickups. See how much gravel a half-ton pickup can carry. Practical options:
- Take half a yard per trip in a light-duty truck.
- Use a dump trailer rated for the load.
- Pay for delivery, often the easiest for multiple yards.
Check your vehicle’s door-jamb payload sticker before loading.
Estimating your order
- Measure length and width in feet.
- Multiply to get square feet.
- Multiply by depth in feet (inches divided by 12).
- Divide by 27 for cubic yards.
- Multiply by about 1.35 for tons.
- Add about 5 to 10 percent for settling and uneven ground.
Example: a 10 by 20 foot bed at 3 inches deep is 200 × 0.25 = 50 cubic feet, or about 1.85 cubic yards. That is roughly 2.5 tons.
River rock for driveways
River rock rolls under tires and is not ideal as the main driveway surface. It works better for borders, drainage strips, and decorative areas. See river rock driveway.
Bottom line
A cubic yard of river rock weighs about 2,400 to 2,900 pounds, or roughly 1.2 to 1.45 tons. One yard covers about 108 square feet at 3 inches deep. Check payload limits before hauling, and add a little extra for settling.
Questions people ask
How much does a yard of river rock weigh?
About 2,400 to 2,900 pounds, roughly 1.2 to 1.45 tons.
How many tons is a yard of river rock?
Around 1.3 to 1.4 tons for most sizes.
How much area does a yard of river rock cover?
About 162 square feet at 2 inches and 108 square feet at 3 inches.
Can a pickup haul a yard of river rock?
Many half-ton pickups cannot safely carry a full yard. Check payload.
Does wet river rock weigh more?
Yes, moisture adds some weight.
Related guides
- River Rock Driveway: Why Round Stone Rolls, and How to Get the Look Without the Problems
- How Much Does a Yard of Gravel Weigh? Tons per Yard by Stone Type
- How Much Gravel Can a Half-Ton Pickup Carry?
- Cubic Feet to Cubic Yards: Conversion and Examples
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