Landscaping Materials Calculator

About this calculator

This calculator tells you how many cubic yards (and cubic metres) of mulch, gravel, topsoil, or sand you need to cover a rectangular or circular area at a chosen depth. Use it before ordering bulk materials to avoid under-buying or paying for excess delivery. It also shows the estimated weight and, if you enter a price per cubic yard, a total cost.

How to read your results

The headline figure is the volume in cubic yards — the standard unit landscaping suppliers quote for bulk orders. Directly below it you will see the same volume in cubic metres and the estimated weight in short tons based on the material you selected. The weight comparison chart shows the estimated weight of each material — gravel, topsoil, sand, and mulch — for your volume, with your selected material highlighted, so you can see how heavy each option is for the same order.

How it's calculated

Area is computed from the shape: for a rectangle it is length × width; for a circle it is π × radius². Volume in cubic feet equals area (sq ft) × depth (in) ÷ 12, converting the depth from inches to feet. Cubic yards = cubic feet ÷ 27. Cubic metres = cubic feet × 0.0283168. Estimated weight in short tons = cubic yards × material density (tons per cubic yard), based on published bulk-density references — engineering bulk-density tables and USDA NRCS soil guidance: gravel 1.4, topsoil 1.1, sand 1.35, mulch 0.5. The weight comparison chart applies your computed volume to each material density so you can see how heavy gravel, topsoil, sand, and mulch would be for the same order — useful when checking vehicle payload or delivery limits.

Worked example

A rectangular garden bed 20 ft long by 10 ft wide needs 3 inches of mulch. Enter shape: rectangle, length: 20 ft, width: 10 ft, depth: 3 in, material: mulch.

Area = 200 sq ft. Volume = 50 cubic ft = 1.85 cubic yards = 1.42 cubic metres. Estimated weight = 0.93 short tons (mulch density 0.5 tons per cubic yard). At 2 in depth you would need 1.23 yd³; at 4 in depth, 2.47 yd³.

Frequently asked questions

Why is volume measured in cubic yards and not cubic feet?

Landscaping suppliers sell bulk materials — mulch, gravel, topsoil, sand — by the cubic yard because the quantities involved are large enough that cubic feet produce unwieldy three-digit numbers. One cubic yard equals 27 cubic feet.

How accurate are the material weight estimates?

The densities used (gravel 1.4 t/yd³, topsoil 1.1 t/yd³, sand 1.35 t/yd³, mulch 0.5 t/yd³) are representative averages based on published bulk-density references from engineering tables and USDA NRCS soil data. Actual weight varies with moisture content and grade, so treat the figure as a planning guide when checking vehicle payload or delivery limits.

Should I order a little extra?

Most landscapers add 5–10% to account for settling, uneven ground, and slight measurement errors. If your area has low spots or you plan to mix materials, increase the buffer to 15%.

Can I use this for a circular bed or tree ring?

Yes. Switch the shape selector to circle and enter the radius in feet. The area is calculated as π × r², giving you the correct volume for round planters, tree rings, or curved borders.

What depth of mulch is typical?

Two to three inches is the standard recommendation for weed suppression and moisture retention. Going deeper than four inches can reduce oxygen to roots and encourage fungal issues, so the depth comparison bars cap at four inches as a practical upper limit.

Sources

• www.lowes.com/n/buying-guide/mulch-buying-guide
• en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cubic_yard
• www.engineeringtoolbox.com/dirt-mud-densities-d_1727.html
• www.nrcs.usda.gov/resources/education-and-teaching-materials/soil-bulk-density

Reviewed by the YouCalc Team · Last reviewed June 12, 2026