Mulch, Soil, Gravel & Sand Calculator
Calculate how many cubic yards (or bags) of mulch, topsoil, gravel or sand you need for an area and depth — plus the weight in tons.
How to use
- 1Enter the area's length and width (or total square feet) and the depth in inches.
- 2Pick the material to see weight and bag counts.
How it's calculated
Cubic yards = area (ft²) × depth (in) ÷ 12 ÷ 27. Weight ≈ cubic yards × density (tons/yd³): mulch ~0.4, topsoil ~1.1, sand ~1.35, gravel ~1.4.
Frequently asked questions
How deep should mulch be?
2–3 inches for garden beds; 3–4 inches for weed control in paths. Keep mulch away from tree trunks.
How many bags make a cubic yard?
About 13.5 of the common 2 ft³ bags, or 9 of 3 ft³ bags.
How deep should gravel be for a driveway?
Typically 4–6 inches of compacted base plus 2–3 inches of top gravel.