How much mulch, gravel or soil do I need?
Multiply the area by the depth to get the volume. Because depth is usually in inches and bulk material is sold by the cubic yard, convert along the way: 12 inches to a foot and 27 cubic feet to a cubic yard.
Example: a 20 Γ 10 ft bed covered 3 inches deep needs 20 Γ 10 Γ 3 Γ· 12 = 50 cubic feet, which is 50 Γ· 27 = 1.85 cubic yards, or 25 bags of 2 cu ft mulch.
Coverage of one cubic yard
| Depth | One cubic yard covers |
|---|---|
| 1 in | 324 sq ft |
| 2 in | 162 sq ft |
| 3 in | 108 sq ft |
| 4 in | 81 sq ft |
| 6 in | 54 sq ft |
Approximate weight per cubic yard
Mulch about 400β1,000 lb (depends on moisture), compost about 1,000β1,600 lb, topsoil about 2,000β2,700 lb, sand and crushed stone about 2,500β2,800 lb, gravel about 2,800 lb. Stone yards usually sell by the ton, so the calculator converts with typical densities; ask your supplier for theirs.
Laying a concrete pad instead? Use the concrete calculator. To measure an odd-shaped bed, the square footage calculator can add up several shapes.
Frequently asked questions
How many bags of mulch are in a yard?
13.5 bags of 2 cubic feet, or 9 bags of 3 cubic feet. A cubic yard is 27 cubic feet.
How deep should mulch be?
2 to 4 inches. Less won't block weeds well, and more can starve roots of air. Keep it a few inches away from tree trunks and stems.
How much does a yard of gravel weigh?
About 1.4 tons (2,800 lb), though it varies with stone size and moisture.
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