Accurate to 0.01 Cubic Yards

Never buy too much dirt again.

Whether you're building a patio, filling a garden bed, or spreading mulch, calculate exactly how much material you need in seconds.

Select Material to Estimate:View All 10 Tools β†’

πŸ“ Calculate Your Project

ASTM Calibrated
Standard: 3 - 4 in
Presets:

Dynamic Layout Visualizer

72 sq ft
L: 12 ftW: 6 ft

Total Bulk Volume

Order Unit
0.67Cubic Yards

= 18.0 cubic feet

Estimated Total Weight

Haulage
0.74Tons

β‰ˆ 1,474 lbs (Payload)

πŸ›οΈBagged Product Equivalent
24Bags (0.75 cu ft)
9Bags (2.0 cu ft)

Standard Lowe's / Home Depot / Scott's bag sizes

πŸ’΅Estimated Material Cost
Avg US Market
$21 - $35Excl. delivery

Bulk delivery fees typically add $60–$120 per drop

πŸ›»

Vehicle Haulage Assessment

Weight is safe for standard pickup trucks & trailers.

Simple & Accurate

How Bulk Estimating Works

01

Measure Project Area

Input your bed or slab dimensions (Length Γ— Width or Radius) and target depth in inches.

02

Select Material Density

Our calculator matches your specific material with calibrated ton-per-yard density factors.

03

Order with Confidence

Get exact bulk cubic yards, vehicle payload tons, 40lb store bag equivalents, and estimated project cost.

Dedicated Tools

Interactive Material Calculators

Dedicated density profiles, bag yields, and compaction formulas for each material.

Peer-Reviewed Knowledge Base

Featured Project Guides

Deep dives into material weights, bag yield formulas, and step-by-step DIY installation rules.

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How to Calculate Cubic Yards

Most landscaping materials (topsoil, mulch, compost, gravel) are sold by the cubic yard. To find out how many cubic yards you need, you use a simple geometric formula.

Volume (Cubic Yards) = (Length (ft) Γ— Width (ft) Γ— Depth (in) / 12) / 27
  • Step 1: Measure your length and width in feet.
  • Step 2: Measure your depth in inches, and divide by 12 to convert it to feet.
  • Step 3: Multiply Length Γ— Width Γ— Depth to get Cubic Feet.
  • Step 4: Divide Cubic Feet by 27 (since there are 27 cubic feet in a cubic yard).

Material Densities & Weight

If you are picking up material in a truck, knowing the volume isn't enoughβ€”you need to know the weight. Different materials have vastly different densities. For example, wet topsoil is incredibly heavy, while cedar mulch is very light.

MaterialEstimated Weight per Cubic YardStandard Use
Topsoil (Dry) (Screened)~2,200 lbs (1.1 Tons)Gardens, lawn seeding
Topsoil (Wet) (Subsoil)~2,500 lbs (1.25 Tons)Deep grading, subbase
Gravel / River Rock (#57)~2,800 lbs (1.4 Tons)Driveways, drainage
Wood Mulch (Hardwood)~700 lbs (0.35 Tons)Moisture control, beds
Sand (Ready-Mix)~4,050 lbs (2.0 Tons)Patios, footings, pads

Frequently Asked Questions

How many bags of mulch equal one cubic yard?β–Ό
A standard bag of mulch bought from a big box store typically contains 2 cubic feet of material. Since there are 27 cubic feet in a cubic yard, it takes 13.5 bags of mulch to equal one cubic yard. If you are buying 3 cubic foot bags, it takes 9 bags to make a yard.
Should I order by the ton or by the yard?β–Ό
Landscaping yards generally sell light materials (like mulch or compost) by the cubic yard, which is a measurement of volume. However, heavy materials like gravel, sand, and stone are often sold by the ton, which is a measurement of weight. Our calculator converts your volume into estimated tons automatically to help you order correctly.
How deep should my topsoil or mulch be?β–Ό
For mulch, a depth of 2 to 3 inches is recommended to suppress weeds and retain moisture. For a new lawn or topsoil, you typically need 4 to 6 inches of healthy soil. For a raised garden bed, you will need 8 to 12 inches of a soil/compost mix to support root growth.