Landscape Stone Calculator 2026 - Estimate Tons, Yards & Cost

For a 10x10 foot area at 3 inches deep, you need approximately 1.1 cubic yards or about 1.5 tons of landscape stone. This equals roughly 30 cubic feet. To calculate: (10 ft × 10 ft × 0.25 ft) = 25 cubic feet. Divide by 27 to get cubic yards, then multiply by the stone's density (1.3-1.5 tons per yard) to get the tonnage.

With a 10% waste factor, order 1.2 cubic yards or 1.7 tons. At $80 per ton for river rock, this costs approximately $136 plus delivery. For a 2-inch depth, you only need 0.7 cubic yards or about 1 ton.

Landscape stone depth depends on the application: 2 inches for decorative ground cover over weed fabric, 3-4 inches for standard garden beds and pathways, 4-6 inches for driveways and high-traffic areas, and 6-8 inches for French drains or drainage swales. Thinner depths expose weed fabric, while deeper depths waste material and budget.

For weed suppression without fabric, you need a minimum 3-inch depth to block sunlight. If you are placing stone over existing grass, remove the grass first or lay cardboard and add 4-5 inches of stone to smother it completely.

One ton of landscape stone typically equals 0.67 to 0.83 cubic yards, depending on the stone type's density. River rock and crushed stone average 1.4 tons per cubic yard (0.71 cubic yards per ton). Lava rock is lighter at 1.1 tons per cubic yard (0.91 cubic yards per ton). Pea gravel is about 1.3 tons per cubic yard (0.77 cubic yards per ton).

Always buy by the ton for accuracy. Quarries weigh loads on certified truck scales, while cubic yard estimates are visual and can vary by 10-20%. A ton of dense rip rap takes up less space than a ton of porous lava rock.

One cubic yard of landscape stone covers approximately 324 square feet at 1 inch deep, 162 square feet at 2 inches deep, 108 square feet at 3 inches deep, or 81 square feet at 4 inches deep. To calculate coverage: divide 324 by the depth in inches. For a 10x10 patio at 3 inches deep, you need 1 cubic yard.

These coverage numbers assume level ground. On slopes, stone migrates downhill, reducing coverage by 15-20%. Build retaining edges or terraces on sloped areas to hold stone in place and maintain even depth.

The cheapest landscape stones in 2026 are crushed concrete ($15-$30 per ton), pea gravel ($30-$50 per ton), and decomposed granite ($30-$60 per ton). River rock costs $50-$130 per ton, while specialty stones like lava rock or Mexican beach pebbles range from $100-$800 per ton. Delivery fees add $50-$150 per load regardless of stone type.

For large areas, recycled crushed concrete is the most cost-effective option. It compacts well for driveways and base layers. Pea gravel is the cheapest decorative option but requires edging to stay in place.

Yes, landscape fabric is highly recommended under stone to prevent weeds and keep stone from sinking into soil. Use non-woven geotextile fabric for drainage areas and woven fabric for decorative beds. Avoid plastic sheeting, which traps water. Fabric costs $0.10-$0.50 per square foot but saves hours of weeding and prevents stone loss over time.

Overlap fabric seams by 6 inches and pin them with landscape staples every 3 feet. Cut X-shaped slits for plants and fold the flaps back. Replace fabric every 8-10 years as soil builds up on top and weeds begin rooting in the organic matter layer.

Landscape stone delivery costs $50 to $150 per load in 2026, depending on distance from the quarry. Most suppliers deliver 1-20 cubic yards per truckload. Some offer free delivery for orders over 5-10 tons. For small projects, pickup at a local nursery or home improvement store saves delivery fees but requires a truck capable of hauling 1-2 tons.

Full-size dump trucks hold 10-20 cubic yards. Smaller dump trucks or trailers hold 5-10 yards. For tight residential access, request a smaller truck or conveyor truck that can place stone exactly where you need it, saving hours of wheelbarrow work.

To calculate landscape stone for a circular area: 1) Measure the diameter (width across the circle), 2) Divide by 2 to get the radius, 3) Multiply radius × radius × 3.14 × depth in feet = cubic feet, 4) Divide by 27 for cubic yards. Example: 10-foot diameter circle, 3 inches deep: 5 × 5 × 3.14 × 0.25 = 19.6 cubic feet (0.73 cubic yards).

For a circular fire pit area, add 10-15% waste factor since curved edging leaves gaps. Circular areas always require less material than squares with the same width because corners are missing. Use our calculator above to handle the math automatically.