Free landscape rock calculator for decorative ground cover. Estimate cubic yards and tons for rock beds, borders, and xeriscape areas.
Reviewed by Sarah Mitchell, Landscape Contractor · Last updated: May 2026
Xeriscape beds trade mulch refresh for one heavy rock drop—you still need the right cubic yards on the ticket. Measure the planted zone, set a thin cover depth, and convert to tons off the quarry scale. This isn't base stone under pavers; it's loose decorative cover with fabric and edging on separate lines.
Cover depth. Xeriscape specs often land at 2–3 in—2.5 in reads full on flat beds without eating the plant budget.[1]
Stone color and size. Crushed desert blends pack tighter than rounded cobble—tons/yd on the ticket beats guessing.[2]
Tree wells and borders. Run each island as its own rectangle, then sum—one big L-shape guess under-orders edging transitions.
Sod strip-out. Volume here is rock only; stripping turf and haul-off aren't in the yard math.
Slope and wind. Steep xeriscape berms need steel edging—volume won't keep stone from walking downhill.
Example: A 24 ft × 14 ft xeriscape bed at 2.5 in depth → 24 × 14 × (2.5÷12) = 70 cu ft ÷ 27 ≈ 2.59 cu yd. Eight percent waste ≈ 2.8 yd. At 1.35 t/yd ≈ 3.8 tons on the order.
Cubic yards = Length × Width × Depth (ft) ÷ 27
Waste: Order yd = Volume × (1 + Waste% ÷ 100)
Tons: Tons = Order yd × tons/yd (default decorative 1.35 t/yd[2])
About 2.59 cu yd base; with 8% waste plan ~2.8 yd or ~3.8 tons at 1.35 t/yd.
Usually yes for weed suppression on flat beds—go 3–4 in if the spec calls for a richer look.[1]
Same volume formula—compare cost and maintenance. Use our mulch calculator for bark depth quotes.
Decorative rock weight varies by quarry—type the tons/yd from your scale receipt.[2]
No—paver base wants crushed compacted stone per the manufacturer, not loose decorative cover.
Estimates are based on decorative aggregate industry standards. Actual quantities may vary by ±10% depending on site conditions, spread depth, and supplier tonnage factors. Always confirm with your stone yard before ordering.