Landscaping · New

Material Calculator

Estimate landscaping material quantities and costs for mulch, gravel, soil, and more by area and depth.

Area + materialOrder calc

Material type

Waste / overage

Area length

Area width

Depth

Order thisLIVE

Sample data

Example numbers for a 1–2 person shop. Edit any field to make it yours — it saves on this device.

Quantity to order

2.1 cubic yards

Mulch (shredded hardwood)

Volume

2 cu yd

Weight

0.4 tons

Material cost

$63–105

Coverage

200 ft²

Area20 × 10 ft

Depth3 in

Overage10%

Sold bycubic yards

Round up to order

Bulk material is sold in whole/half units and you can't un-order it — the overage already builds in a buffer for irregular edges and compaction. Order the quantity shown, not less.

cu ft = length × width × (depth ÷ 12) × (1 + waste)

cu yd = cu ft ÷ 27 · tons = (cu yd × lbs/yd) ÷ 2000

order = round up to how the material is sold

Reference

Material coverage & cost guide.

Material	Sold by	Cost range	Weight / cu yd
Mulch (shredded hardwood)	cubic yards	$30–$50/cu yd	400 lbs
Rubber Mulch	cubic yards	$80–$120/cu yd	600 lbs
Gravel (pea / crushed)	tons	$35–$65/ton	2,700 lbs
River Rock	tons	$60–$120/ton	2,700 lbs
Topsoil (screened)	cubic yards	$25–$50/cu yd	2,000 lbs
Compost / Garden Mix	cubic yards	$30–$55/cu yd	1,000 lbs
Sand (fill / play)	tons	$25–$45/ton	2,700 lbs
Decomposed Granite	tons	$40–$70/ton	2,700 lbs
Concrete (ready-mix)	cubic yards	$120–$180/cu yd	3,700 lbs

Field notes

How deep to go.

Mulch

2–3 inches for weed suppression, 3–4 inches for playgrounds. Deeper than 4" can starve roots of oxygen.

Gravel & rock

2–3 inches for pathways, 4–6 inches for drainage, 6–8 inches for driveways that take vehicle weight.

Topsoil

4–6 inches for a new lawn, 2–3 inches to top-dress garden beds. Settle and water before final grade.

Sand

1–2 inches as a paver setting base, 4+ inches for sandboxes. Compact in lifts for pavers.

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