Landscape Material Calculator
Calculate bulk and bagged landscape materials with precision.
Gravel, Mulch & Topsoil Calculator
Estimate delivered volume or bags from the area and depth you enter.
Gravel estimate
Bulk volume
1.85 cu yd
- Volume
- 50.00 cu ft
- Bags at 2 cu ft
- 25
Volume only. Material density, moisture, settling, coverage depth, delivery minimums, and bag labels vary; this tool does not infer weight or cost.
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What This Calculator Does
The Landscape Material Calculator computes bulk volume in cubic yards and the exact number of retail bags needed for mulch, gravel, or topsoil. Enter ground area in square feet, desired application depth in inches, and package bag size.
How It Works
Depth in inches is converted to feet by dividing by twelve and multiplied by surface area to get cubic feet. Dividing by 27 converts cubic feet to cubic yards for bulk deliveries. Dividing cubic feet by bag volume (typically 2 cubic feet for mulch or 0.5 cubic feet for gravel/soil) and rounding up gives total retail bags.
Example
A 200 sq ft garden bed mulched to a 3-inch depth requires 50 cubic feet (1.85 cubic yards) of material, which equals 25 standard 2-cubic-foot bags.
Formula
Cubic Feet = Area (sq ft) × (Depth in / 12)Cubic Yards = Cubic Feet / 27Bags = Ceil(Cubic Feet / Bag Volume cu ft)Reading the Results
Volume in Cubic Yards
Total bulk volume required, which is the standard unit for truckload landscape deliveries.
Bags to purchase
Number of sealed retail bags needed if purchasing packaged product rather than bulk delivery.
Frequently Asked Questions
How deep should mulch or gravel be applied?
Wood mulch is typically installed at a depth of 2 to 3 inches for moisture retention. Decorative gravel walkways usually need 2 to 3 inches over compacted base.
When is bulk delivery cheaper than bagged material?
Generally, projects requiring more than 2 cubic yards (about 27 standard 2-cu-ft bags) are significantly cheaper by the truckload from a local supplier.
Does mulch or soil settle over time?
Yes. Organic mulch and loose topsoil settle by 10% to 20% after watering and natural decomposition over the first few weeks.