Landscape materials calculator
How much topsoil, mulch, gravel, sod or concrete to order for a bed, path or slab. In cubic yards, cubic metres and bags, with waste added.
How far one yard or one cubic metre goes
The same rule works for soil, mulch, compost and gravel: the deeper the layer, the less area each load covers.
| Depth | 1 yd³ covers | 1 m³ covers | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 in · 2.5 cm | 324 sq ft | 40 m² | Top-dressing a lawn |
| 2 in · 5 cm | 162 sq ft | 20 m² | Topping up mulch |
| 3 in · 7.5 cm | 108 sq ft | 13.3 m² | New mulch beds |
| 4 in · 10 cm | 81 sq ft | 10 m² | Topsoil under sod, gravel paths |
| 6 in · 15 cm | 54 sq ft | 6.7 m² | New garden beds, base gravel |
Measure once, order once.
Rectangles
Length × width × depth, all in feet, gives cubic feet. Divide by 27 for cubic yards.
30 ft × 12 ft × 4 in = 120 ft³ ÷ 27 = 4.44 yd³
Circles and triangles
A circle is 3.14 × radius². A triangle is half the base × height. Then multiply by depth.
Circle 10 ft across, 3 in deep 3.14 × 5² × 0.25 = 19.6 ft³ = 0.73 yd³
Bags or bulk
A cubic yard is 27 cubic feet. Past about a yard, bulk delivery is usually cheaper than bags.
1 yd³ = 27 ft³ = 13.5 bags of 2 cu ft = 27 bags of 1 cu ft
Ordering soil, mulch and gravel, answered.
How much area does a yard of soil cover?
At 4 inches deep, one cubic yard covers 81 sq ft. At 3 inches it covers 108 sq ft, and at 2 inches 162 sq ft. In metric, one cubic metre covers 10 m² at 10 cm.
How many bags make a cubic yard?
13.5 bags of 2 cu ft, or 27 bags of 1 cu ft. Past about a yard, bulk delivery usually costs less than bags.
How deep should mulch be?
2 to 3 inches for most beds. Keep it a few inches back from stems and trunks.
How much topsoil goes under new sod?
Most installers lay 4 to 6 inches. At 4 inches that is 1 cubic yard for every 81 sq ft of lawn.
How much extra should I order?
Add 5–10% for soil and mulch that settles, and about 10% for sod and pavers cut to fit. The calculator adds 10% unless you change it.
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Conversions: 1 yd³ = 27 ft³ = 0.7646 m³; 1 m³ = 35.31 ft³. Results are estimates; confirm bag sizes, densities and delivery minimums with your supplier. Calculations run in your browser.