Mulch, Gravel & Soil Calculator

Calculates how many cubic yards or cubic meters of mulch, gravel, sand or soil you need for an area and depth, with the number of bags, an estimated weight and the cost. Use it before ordering landscaping material for beds, paths or driveways.

How to use

1. Choose the "Units", then for each area pick a "Shape" (rectangle, L-shape, triangle, circle or trapezoid) and enter its size. Switch on "Subtract this area (path, patio)" for parts that stay uncovered.
2. Set the "Depth" and the "Material" to see the "Volume needed" and the "Area covered". Add "Extra for settling and waste" if you want.
3. To buy in bags, choose a "Bag size" to see the "Bags needed".
4. Enter a "Price" and what the "Price is per" (cubic yard, ton, bag and so on) to see the "Estimated cost".

How it works

• Volume = area × depth. 100 square feet at 3 inches deep is 25 cubic feet, about 0.93 cubic yards.
• Weight uses a typical loose bulk density from Engineering ToolBox tables, checked in October 2026. The defaults are 1,440 kg/m³ for gravel and sand, 1,250 for soil and 240 for mulch; change them under "Density used for weight".
• Density changes a lot with moisture and particle size, and wet material is heavier. For an accurate weight, enter your supplier's figure.

Questions and answers

How much does a cubic yard of gravel weigh?

At the default 1,440 kg/m³ it is about 1,100 kg, or about 1.2 US tons. The page shows a typical range of 1,200 to 1,680 kg/m³; wet gravel is heavier.

How many square feet does a cubic yard of mulch cover?

A cubic yard is 27 cubic feet. At 3 inches deep it covers 108 square feet; at 2 inches, 162 square feet.

How deep should mulch or gravel be?

The right depth depends on the material and its use, so the tool does not choose it. Enter the depth you plan under "Depth" to get the matching amount.

How many bags of mulch do I need?

Divide the volume by the bag size and round up. For 25 cubic feet in 2 cubic foot bags, 25 ÷ 2 = 12.5, so 13 bags.