CALCULATION METHOD
How much stone do I need?
Choose the shape closest to your landscape bed, enter its dimensions and coverage depth, then select a material. This stone calculator converts the finished volume to cubic yards and uses the selected bulk density to estimate tons. For an irregular bed, divide it into simple shapes, calculate each section, and add the results.
Volume = area × depth
Order volume = volume × (1 + overage)
Order weight = order volume × bulk density
Landscape rock calculator example
A 20 ft × 10 ft bed covered 2 inches deep has a net volume of 1.23 cubic yards. With decorative stone at 105 lb/ft³ and 5% overage, the planning order is about 1.3 cubic yards or 1.8 short tons.
Typical bulk stone densities
These presets represent loose bulk material rather than solid stone. Actual delivery density changes with grading, particle shape, voids, and moisture, so supplier data should take priority.
| Material preset | Density used | Approx. tons/yd³ |
|---|---|---|
| Decorative stone | 105 lb/ft³ | 1.42 |
| Crushed stone | 100 lb/ft³ | 1.35 |
| River rock | 95 lb/ft³ | 1.28 |
| Limestone | 105 lb/ft³ | 1.42 |
| Granite rock | 110 lb/ft³ | 1.49 |
| Lava rock | 58 lb/ft³ | 0.78 |
How much area does a ton of stone cover?
Coverage depends on depth and bulk density. Using the 105 lb/ft³ decorative-stone preset, one short ton covers about 114 sq ft at 2 inches, 76 sq ft at 3 inches, or 57 sq ft at 4 inches. The live result updates this estimate for the material and depth you choose.
Stone or gravel calculator?
Use this page for decorative and landscape rock laid as ground cover. For a driveway, drainage bed, or compacted base where settlement allowance matters, use the gravel calculator.
Inch Calculator stone density ranges and Omni Calculator stone density method. Accessed September 10, 2026.