NumberTally Landscaping Material Calculator
How much mulch, topsoil, gravel, or sand do you need? Enter the area and depth to get cubic feet, cubic yards (how bulk is sold), bag counts, and the estimated weight — so you order the right amount the first time.
How deep should each material go?
Mulch: 2–3 inches around plants and trees (keep it a few inches from stems and trunks). Replenish yearly as it breaks down. Topsoil: 4–6 inches for new garden beds or grading. Gravel: 2–4 inches for paths and driveways over landscape fabric. Sand: 1–2 inches for leveling under pavers; deeper for play areas. Measure the area at its widest — irregular beds can be split into rectangles and added together.
Bulk vs bags: which is cheaper?
Bulk (by the cubic yard, delivered) is almost always cheaper once you need more than about a yard. Bags make sense for small touch-ups. Watch the weight: a yard of gravel weighs about 1.4 tons, so a pickup truck usually can’t legally haul more than a yard or two — delivery is worth it. Mulch is light (about 200 lb per yard), so hauling it yourself is easy.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many cubic feet are in a cubic yard?
27 — a yard is 3 × 3 × 3 feet. Bulk mulch, soil, and stone are always sold by the cubic yard; divide your cubic feet by 27.
How many bags of mulch are in a cubic yard?
A 2 cu ft bag covers 2 cubic feet, so 27 ÷ 2 = 13.5 — round up to 14 bags per yard. For 0.5 cu ft gravel bags it’s 54 per yard, which is why bulk wins for big jobs.
How much does a yard of topsoil weigh?
Roughly 2,000 lb (1 ton). Gravel runs about 2,800 lb per yard and mulch only about 400 lb per yard — the weight difference is why delivery fees and truck limits matter more for stone and soil.
How deep should mulch be around trees?
2–3 inches, in a wide ring — but never piled against the trunk (“volcano mulching” rots bark and invites pests). Keep mulch 3–4 inches back from the trunk flare.
Will the material settle or compact?
Yes — mulch settles 10–20% in the first season and soil compacts when watered. Ordering 5–10% extra covers settling; this calculator’s bag counts already round up, which absorbs most of it.