Landscaping Calculators
Landscaping materials are sold by the cubic yard (bulk delivery) or by the bag (retail). Knowing the exact volume you need prevents expensive extra deliveries and avoids having leftover material with nowhere to put it. The universal formula is: Length x Width x Depth (in feet) / 27 = cubic yards.
Our landscaping calculators also convert to weight (tons) since many suppliers quote by weight rather than volume. Different materials have different densities — gravel is 1.4 tons/yard while mulch is only 0.4 tons/yard. Getting this wrong means your pickup truck is either half-empty or dangerously overloaded.
All Landscaping Tools
Material Weight Reference
- Mulch: ~800 lbs/cu yd (0.4 tons) — varies with moisture
- Topsoil: ~2,200 lbs/cu yd (1.1 tons) — dry screened
- Sand: ~2,600 lbs/cu yd (1.3 tons) — dry
- Pea gravel: ~2,600 lbs/cu yd (1.3 tons)
- Crushed stone: ~2,800 lbs/cu yd (1.4 tons)
- River rock: ~2,600 lbs/cu yd (1.3 tons)
- Fill dirt: ~2,200 lbs/cu yd (1.1 tons) — dry
Recommended Depths
- Mulch: 2-3 inches (never exceed 4")
- Gravel (driveway): 4-6 inches over compacted base
- Gravel (walkway): 2-3 inches
- Topsoil (new lawn): 4-6 inches
- Sand (paver base): 1 inch leveling layer
Disclaimer
These calculators provide estimates only. Actual material quantities vary based on site grading, material moisture content, compaction, and supplier packaging. Always confirm quantities with your supplier before ordering. See our Terms of Use.