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Mulch & Gravel Calculator

Find how much mulch, gravel, stone or topsoil to order by the yard or by the bag for any bed or path.

Live · mulch & gravel calculator

How much mulch or gravel?

Enter the area and how deep you want it spread.
2–3" for mulch, 2" for gravel top-up.
Material volume

How this calculator works

Loose material is priced by the cubic yard in bulk or by the bag at the store. We turn your area and spread depth into both.

  • Cubic feet = area × (depth in inches ÷ 12)
  • Cubic yards = cubic feet ÷ 27
  • Bags = ceil(cubic feet ÷ bag size)

One cubic yard covers about 108 sq ft at 3" deep, or 162 sq ft at 2". Bulk delivery is usually cheaper past two or three yards; bags win for small top-ups and easy handling.

Frequently asked questions

How many bags of mulch are in a cubic yard?

A cubic yard is 27 cubic feet, so it takes about 13–14 of the common 2-cubic-foot bags to equal one yard. Past two or three yards, bulk delivery is almost always cheaper than bags.

How deep should I spread mulch or gravel?

Two to three inches of mulch suppresses weeds and holds moisture without smothering roots. For gravel, two inches tops up an existing path, while a new gravel base often wants three to four inches over fabric.

How much area does a yard cover?

One cubic yard covers roughly 108 square feet at 3 inches deep, or 162 square feet at 2 inches. Deeper coverage means less area per yard — the calculator handles the exact depth you enter.

Should I order bulk or bagged?

Bagged material is convenient and mess-free for small jobs and top-ups. Once you need more than about two cubic yards, bulk delivery usually costs far less per yard even after the delivery fee.

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