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Mulch, Topsoil & Gravel Calculator

Figure out how many cubic yards of bulk material you need, how much it weighs, and whether bags or bulk delivery is cheaper.

Calculate the volume of mulch, topsoil, gravel, or decorative stone for any bed shape and depth. Includes compaction and settling factors so you do not end up short after the material packs down. Compares bulk delivery cost against bagged material to find your breakeven point.

Pro Tip: Hardwood mulch settles about 15-20% in the first year. If you want 3 inches of coverage next spring, spread 3.5 inches now. Pine bark settles less (10-15%), and rubber mulch barely settles at all.

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Mulch, Topsoil & Gravel Calculator
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How It Works

  1. Define the Area

    Enter the length and width for rectangular beds, or the radius for circular areas. For irregular shapes, break them into rectangles and circles and add the areas together.

  2. Set Material Depth

    Choose the desired depth in inches. Mulch is typically 2-4 inches, topsoil 4-6 inches for new beds, and gravel 2-4 inches for paths or driveways.

  3. Select Material Type

    Pick from hardwood mulch, pine bark, topsoil, pea gravel, crushed stone, or river rock. Each has a different weight per cubic yard and settling factor.

  4. Apply Settling Factor

    The calculator adds material to compensate for settling. Organic mulches settle 15-20%, while gravel and stone settle 5-10% depending on particle size and compaction.

  5. Compare Bulk vs Bags

    Enter local prices for bulk delivery (per cubic yard) and bagged material (per bag with bag size). The calculator finds the crossover point where bulk becomes cheaper.

  6. Review Weight and Delivery

    See the total weight in tons to determine if a standard pickup truck can handle the load or if you need delivery. A full-size truck bed holds about 2 cubic yards of mulch but only 1 cubic yard of gravel.

Built For

  • Homeowners refreshing landscape beds each spring who want to order the right amount of mulch without leftover waste.
  • Contractors bidding on commercial landscaping jobs that require precise bulk material quantities for cost estimation.
  • DIYers building a gravel patio or drainage path who need to know how many tons to order for delivery.
  • Property managers calculating topsoil needs for regrading or establishing new lawn areas across multiple buildings.
  • Garden centers helping walk-in customers figure out how many bags to load.

Assumptions

  • Mulch settling factor of 15% for hardwood, 10% for pine bark.
  • Gravel weights based on dry, loose material. Wet material may weigh 10-15% more.
  • Bag sizes assumed at 2 cu ft for mulch and 0.5 cu ft for decorative stone unless specified.

Limitations

  • Does not account for slope, which increases material needed on steep beds due to washout and uneven spreading.
  • Bulk vs bag pricing depends on local market rates and delivery distance.

References

  • Material weights per cubic yard from the National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association (NSSGA) reference tables.
  • Settling factors based on University of Georgia Cooperative Extension publication on landscape mulching.

Frequently Asked Questions

At 3 inches deep, you need about 4.6 cubic yards (500 x 3/12 = 125 cubic feet, divided by 27 cubic feet per yard). Adding 15% for settling brings it to roughly 5.3 cubic yards. Most suppliers sell in half-yard increments, so order 5.5 yards.
Crushed limestone or gravel weighs about 2,800 lbs (1.4 tons) per cubic yard. Pea gravel is slightly lighter at around 2,500 lbs per yard. River rock varies from 2,400 to 2,700 lbs depending on stone density. Always check your truck's payload capacity before hauling.
Use 2-3 inches for ornamental beds with established plants. Use 3-4 inches for weed suppression in open areas or around trees. Going deeper than 4 inches can trap moisture against plant stems and promote rot. Keep mulch 3-6 inches away from tree trunks to prevent bark decay.
The breakeven is usually around 3-4 cubic yards. A 2 cu ft bag of mulch at $4 works out to about $54 per cubic yard. Bulk mulch typically costs $25-45 per yard plus a $50-75 delivery fee. At 3 yards, bulk saves you roughly $60-100 compared to bags.
Break the area into simple shapes: rectangles, triangles, and partial circles. Calculate each section's square footage separately, add them together, multiply by the depth in feet, then divide by 27 to get cubic yards. Alternatively, measure the longest and widest dimensions and multiply by 0.8 for a kidney-shaped bed.
Screened topsoil settles 10-15% over the first few months as it consolidates from rain and watering. If you need 6 inches of finished grade, spread about 7 inches. Compacting lightly with a roller after spreading reduces long-term settling but is not practical in planted beds.
A standard 6.5-foot truck bed holds about 2 cubic yards of mulch (loose, mounded) but only about 0.5-1 cubic yard of gravel or topsoil by weight. Most half-ton trucks have a payload limit of 1,000-1,500 lbs. One cubic yard of wet topsoil weighs about 2,200 lbs, which exceeds most half-ton ratings. Use a 3/4-ton truck or get delivery for heavy materials.
Disclaimer: Verify all calculations before ordering. Actual material weights and settling rates vary by source, moisture content, and compaction method.

Learn More

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Mulch, Topsoil & Gravel: A Quantity Guide

How to calculate bulk landscape material quantities, compaction factors, delivery logistics, and when bulk beats bags.

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