Mulch, Gravel & Sod
Calculator
Enter your area and depth. See cubic yards, bags and tons of bulk material, or how many rolls and pallets of sod to order.
Bulk or bagged · Sod rolls and pallets · Works on your phone
Estimates only. Your numbers stay in your browser and aren't saved or sent anywhere.
How to calculate mulch, gravel and soil
Cubic feet = length × width × (depth in inches ÷ 12)
Cubic yards = cubic feet ÷ 27
Bags = cubic feet ÷ bag size
Tons = cubic yards × material density
For example, a 20' by 10' bed at 3" deep is 50 ft³, which is 1.85 yd³, or 25 bags at 2 cu ft each. The result has no waste added, so allow 10% to 15% more for settling, especially with mulch and soil.
How far a cubic yard goes
| Depth | 1 cubic yard covers |
|---|---|
| 1" | 324 sq ft |
| 2" | 162 sq ft |
| 3" | 108 sq ft |
| 4" | 81 sq ft |
| 6" | 54 sq ft |
| 12" | 27 sq ft |
Gravel by the ton
Stone is usually sold by the ton. The calculator uses these densities, which vary by material and supplier, so confirm with yours before you order:
| Material | Tons per cubic yard |
|---|---|
| Gravel / crushed stone | 1.5 |
| Pea gravel / river rock | 1.35 |
| Sand | 1.3 |
How to calculate sod
Measure the lawn, add 5% to 10% for cuts and uneven edges, and divide by your roll size. The calculator uses about 9 sq ft per roll and about 450 sq ft per pallet. Those sizes vary a lot by farm, so check before you order. Lay it soon after delivery, because sod doesn't keep long on the pallet.
Questions
- Multiply the area in square feet by the depth in inches, then divide by 324 to get cubic yards. Most beds take 2" to 3", and one cubic yard covers 108 sq ft at 3".
- A cubic yard is 27 cubic feet, so it takes about 14 of the common 2 cu ft bags.
- About 1.5 tons for crushed stone, but it depends on the stone and how wet it is. Your supplier can give you the exact figure.
- Usually about 400 to 500 sq ft, but it varies by supplier. Confirm before you order.
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