How this calculator works
Decorative rock is sold by the ton, covered by the square foot, and regretted by the wheelbarrow load — this tool sorts out all three.
Tons, not yards
Unlike mulch and gravel-by-the-yard, stone yards price decorative rock per ton. Coverage runs about 80–100 square feet per ton at 2 inches deep, with lava rock the light outlier that stretches further. The calculator converts your area and depth into tons so you can compare quotes directly.
What moves the price
The rock type does most of the work — plain crushed granite at the budget end, washed river rock in the middle, marble chips at the top. After that it’s the delivery trip (flat fee, so consolidate orders) and, if you hire it out, spreading labor priced per ton. Tight side yards, slopes, and long carries from the dump pile push labor toward the high end of the range.
Do it once, properly
Two pieces of hard-won advice baked into the estimate’s assumptions: lay landscape fabric first, and order slightly more than the math says. Rock that sinks into bare soil effectively disappears within a few seasons, and a second delivery fee for half a ton stings. Pairing rock beds with a fresh lawn or path? See the sod and gravel calculators.
2026 bulk landscape rock price per ton
Stone-yard bulk prices. A ton of most decorative rock covers roughly 80–100 sq ft at 2 inches deep; lava rock is lighter and stretches further.
| Option | Low (per ton) | High (per ton) | Typical (per ton) |
|---|---|---|---|
| River rock | $60 | $180 | $110 |
| Crushed granite | $50 | $160 | $90 |
| Lava rock | $90 | $240 | $150 |
| Marble / white chips | $90 | $220 | $140 |
Estimated cost by state
Typical installed range for covering 200 sq ft with 2 inches of river rock, delivered and spread, adjusted by each state's construction cost index. Your actual project scales with the size and options you enter above.
| State | Estimated low | Estimated high |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $241 | $685 |
| Alaska | $322 | $915 |
| Arizona | $269 | $764 |
| Arkansas | $246 | $700 |
| California | $314 | $892 |
| Colorado | $274 | $780 |
| Connecticut | $300 | $852 |
| Delaware | $269 | $764 |
| District of Columbia | $280 | $796 |
| Florida | $260 | $740 |
| Georgia | $252 | $716 |
| Hawaii | $358 | $1,019 |
| Idaho | $272 | $772 |
| Illinois | $322 | $915 |
| Indiana | $286 | $812 |
| Iowa | $280 | $796 |
| Kansas | $263 | $748 |
| Kentucky | $263 | $748 |
| Louisiana | $255 | $724 |
| Maine | $269 | $764 |
| Maryland | $269 | $764 |
| Massachusetts | $330 | $939 |
| Michigan | $283 | $804 |
| Minnesota | $314 | $892 |
| Mississippi | $249 | $708 |
| Missouri | $302 | $860 |
| Montana | $280 | $796 |
| Nebraska | $269 | $764 |
| Nevada | $286 | $812 |
| New Hampshire | $280 | $796 |
| New Jersey | $330 | $939 |
| New Mexico | $252 | $716 |
| New York | $308 | $876 |
| North Carolina | $260 | $740 |
| North Dakota | $283 | $804 |
| Ohio | $297 | $844 |
| Oklahoma | $258 | $732 |
| Oregon | $291 | $828 |
| Pennsylvania | $286 | $812 |
| Rhode Island | $305 | $868 |
| South Carolina | $263 | $748 |
| South Dakota | $260 | $740 |
| Tennessee | $263 | $748 |
| Texas | $255 | $724 |
| Utah | $272 | $772 |
| Vermont | $277 | $788 |
| Virginia | $258 | $732 |
| Washington | $305 | $868 |
| West Virginia | $263 | $748 |
| Wisconsin | $297 | $844 |
| Wyoming | $263 | $748 |
Frequently asked questions
How much landscape rock do I need?
A ton of typical decorative rock covers about 90 square feet at 2 inches deep. Multiply your area by depth and the calculator converts to tons — order a little over, since topping up later means paying another delivery fee.
How much does landscape rock cost in 2026?
By the ton in bulk, river rock runs about $60–$180, crushed granite $50–$160, lava rock $90–$240, and marble chips $90–$220. Delivery adds $60–$180 a trip, and professional spreading $40–$100 per ton.
Rock or mulch — which is the better ground cover?
Rock is a one-time buy that never decomposes, doesn't blow away, and shines in dry or fire-prone climates. Mulch is cheaper upfront, feeds the soil, and is kinder to plant beds, but needs refreshing every couple of years. Many yards use both — rock for paths and borders, mulch around plantings.
Should I put fabric under landscape rock?
Yes, almost always. Landscape fabric keeps the rock from sinking into the soil and makes any future removal far easier. Skip it and within a few seasons the rock migrates downward and weeds thread up through the gaps.
Is spreading rock a realistic DIY job?
Completely — it's the same job as mulch, just three times heavier. The DIY toggle shows the labor savings. A ton sounds scary, but it's about 35 wheelbarrow loads; the real advice is to have the truck dump as close to the beds as possible.
Disclaimer: Estimates are for planning only and reflect typical ranges, not quotes. Actual costs vary with site conditions, design complexity, local permits, and contractor availability. Pricing approach: national averages cross-referenced from public cost guides, adjusted by a state construction cost index — see our methodology.
Price data sources: Lawn Love, river rock cost 2026 — river rock $60–$170/ton, crushed granite $50–$100/ton, decomposed granite $35–$70/ton, lava rock $115–$215/ton, bull rock $70–$110/ton; labor $40–$90/hour at roughly two hours per ton: https://lawnlove.com/blog/river-rock-cost/; This Old House, landscape rock cost — crushed granite $65–$185/ton, lava rock $115–$220/ton, river rock $80–$150/ton, decomposed granite $35–$60/ton; typical material $50–$125/ton; delivery $200–$400; labor $50–$100/hour: https://www.thisoldhouse.com/gardening/landscape-rock-cost; HomeGuide, landscaping river rock prices 2026 — decorative rock per ton and per cubic yard by type, delivery, and spreading labor: https://homeguide.com/costs/landscaping-river-rock-prices; Landscapio, landscaping rocks cost 2026 — river rock $38–$123/ton (avg $65); delivery $75–$200; installation labor $25–$100 per ton: https://www.landscapioai.com/blog/landscaping-rocks-cost-2026; Golden Landscaping Supply, bulk white marble chips — $150 per ton retail: https://goldenlandscapingsupply.com/products/marble-chips-gravel-bulk. Last updated: September 2026.