Gravel & Mulch Calculator
Enter the area and depth, and pick a material, to get the cubic yards, bags and weight you need.
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How to Calculate Gravel or Mulch
Volume is area × depth. Convert depth from inches to feet (÷ 12), multiply by the area, and divide by 27 for cubic yards — how bulk landscaping material is sold. Bagged material usually comes in 2 cu ft bags.
Recommended Depths
A 2-inch depth suits decorative gravel and mulch top-ups; 3-4 inches is typical for a fresh mulch bed or a gravel path. Weight varies by material: gravel is roughly 1.4 tons per cubic yard, mulch far lighter.
Measure the bed first with the Square Footage Calculator.
Frequently Asked Questions
Multiply the area in square feet by the depth in feet, then divide by 27. Enter the numbers above and the calculator does it for you.
Two to three inches is usually enough to suppress weeds and retain moisture without smothering plant roots.
Roughly 1.4 tons, though it varies with the stone type and moisture. Mulch is much lighter, around half a ton per cubic yard.
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