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Mulch & Gravel Calculator

Cubic yards, bags, weight, and total cost for mulch, gravel, topsoil, sand, and 13+ landscape materials.

You'll need
1.48 cu yd · 20 bags
Cost
$38–$68
Project details
Areas
Area 1
LengthWidthside viewDepth
Area: 160 sq ftVolume: 40 cu ft
Total160 sq ft · 40.00 cu ft
Material
Wood Mulch (shredded) · Best for garden beds. Refresh annually. 2–4 inches deep is standard.
Default depth: 3"Density: ~22 lbs/cu ft
How you'll buy it
💡 Bulk delivery recommended
Your project is ≥1 cubic yard — bulk is usually half the cost of 20 bags.

Leave blank to use estimate

Default: $25–$45/yd

Typical: $50–$120

Extras

Plastic, metal, or stone edging

Cost breakdown

Showing bulk delivery pricing (recommended for your volume).
Wood Mulch (shredded) · 1.50 cu yd$38 – $68
Total project cost$38 – $68
💡 Comparison: 20 bags would cost $60 – $120; bulk (1.50 yd) would cost $38 – $68.

Shopping list

Everything you need for this project.
  • Wood Mulch (shredded) (bulk delivery)1.50 cu yd
  • Wheelbarrow1
  • Garden rake & flat shovel1 set
  • Gloves1 pair
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Get quotes from local landscape supply yards.
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Math breakdown

Step-by-step from your inputs.
Area 1 · 20 × 8 × 3"/1240 cu ft
Total volume40.00 cu ft
Cubic yards · ÷ 271.48 cu yd
Bags · ÷ 2 cu ft per bag20 bags
Weight · @ 22 lbs/cu ft880 lbs (0.44 tons)

How to use this calculator

Measure each area you're covering — length and width for rectangles, or just type in the total square feet if it's irregular. The calculator suggests a default depth based on your material (3" for mulch, 4" for gravel, 6" for topsoil) and you can adjust per area.

Pick your material — 17 options across mulch, stone, and soil categories — and the calculator shows cubic yards, cubic feet, bag count, total weight, and a bulk-vs-bag cost comparison. It auto-recommends bulk delivery once your project crosses 1 cubic yard.

Pro tips

Bags vs. bulk. Below ~1 cubic yard, bags win on convenience and not getting a delivery dumped in your driveway. Above that, bulk is dramatically cheaper — often half the cost per yard.

Right depth matters.Mulch: 2–4". Gravel paths: 3–4". Driveway base: 4–6". Playground mulch: 9" minimum (engineered fall protection). Topsoil for lawns: 4–6". The calculator pre-fills the right default per material.

Account for compaction.Gravel and decomposed granite compact 15–20% — toggle "Account for compaction" and the calculator buys you the extra to hit your target depth after compaction.

Add landscape fabric for mulch and gravel. It blocks weeds and keeps stones from sinking into the soil. Cheap insurance — about $0.10–$0.30 per square foot.

Frequently asked questions

How much mulch do I need for 200 square feet?▾
At 3 inches deep (the standard mulch depth), 200 sq ft × 3/12 ft = 50 cubic feet, or about 1.85 cubic yards. That's 25 standard 2 cu ft bags, or roughly 0.4 of a typical bulk delivery truckload.
What's the difference between mulch, wood chips, and bark?▾
Shredded mulch breaks down faster but gives you a uniform finish for garden beds. Wood chips are larger, last longer, and look more natural — better for paths and tree wells. Bark mulch is just bark (no wood); it lasts longer than shredded and doesn't fade as fast.
How many cubic yards in a bag of mulch?▾
Standard mulch bags are 2 cubic feet. Since 1 cubic yard = 27 cubic feet, that's 13.5 bags per cubic yard. Some bags are 1 or 3 cubic feet — check the label. The calculator handles all bag sizes.
Should I use plastic or fabric under my mulch?▾
Landscape fabric, never plastic. Plastic blocks water and air, kills your soil, and tears apart over time. Fabric lets water through, blocks weeds, and lasts 5+ years. About $0.10–$0.30 per sq ft.
How thick should gravel be for a driveway?▾
4–6 inches of compacted depth on a prepared base. Layer it: 3–4 inches of crushed limestone (#57 or #2) for the base, topped with 1–2 inches of pea gravel or decorative stone. Add ~20% extra for compaction.
Will bulk delivery work for my project?▾
Most bulk yards have a 1–3 yard minimum. The truck dumps in your driveway and you wheelbarrow it from there. Plan for 1–2 hours of moving per cubic yard for one person. Bulk price is usually half what you'd pay in bags.
What's the cheapest landscape stone?▾
Crushed concrete (recycled) is usually the cheapest at $15–$35 per yard. Crushed limestone is next ($25–$50). Decorative stones like river rock and lava rock are 4–10× more expensive.
Disclaimer. This calculator provides estimates for planning purposes. Actual material quantities and costs may vary based on site conditions, material availability, and local pricing. Always consult a licensed contractor for precise project quotes.

Specific mulch material calculators

Need a calculator pre-set for a specific mulch material? Pick one below — same math, same precision, just dialed in for your project.

Gravel Calculator
Calculate how much gravel you need in cubic yards, tons, and bags. Compare bulk delivery vs. bagged costs for driveways, paths, and drainage.
Topsoil Calculator
Calculate topsoil for lawns, raised beds, and garden projects. Get cubic yards, bags, weight, and bulk vs. bagged cost comparison.
Pea Gravel Calculator
Calculate pea gravel for walkways, patios, French drains, and dog runs. Cubic yards, tons, bag count, and bulk vs. bagged cost.
River Rock Calculator
Calculate river rock for landscape beds, dry creek beds, drainage, and decorative ground cover. Cubic yards, weight in tons, and total project cost.
Decomposed Granite Calculator
Calculate decomposed granite (DG) for pathways, patios, and driveways. Cubic yards, tons, compaction factor, and total cost included.
Sand Calculator
Calculate sand needed for paver bases, leveling, drainage, and fill projects. Cubic yards, bags, weight in tons, and cost.
Rubber Mulch Calculator
Calculate rubber mulch for playgrounds, landscape beds, and dog runs. Cubic yards, bag count, and cost. Lasts 10+ years vs. wood mulch.
Wood Chips Calculator
Calculate wood chips for paths, garden beds, and large landscape areas. Cubic yards, bags, and total cost — cheaper than shredded mulch.
Lava Rock Calculator
Calculate lava rock for decorative landscape beds, fire pits, and drainage. Lightweight volcanic stone — cubic yards, bags, and total cost.
Playground Mulch Calculator
Calculate engineered playground mulch for backyard play sets, swing sets, and commercial playgrounds. 9-inch depth for ASTM fall protection.
Crushed Limestone Calculator
Calculate crushed limestone for driveways, paver bases, and aggregate fill. Cubic yards, weight in tons, and total cost — compacts hard.
Crushed Concrete Calculator
Calculate recycled crushed concrete for driveways and base fill. Cheapest aggregate option — cubic yards, tons, and cost included.