The formula
Every calculator on this site runs the same four steps. Imperial units are used internally; metric inputs are converted to feet first (1 m = 3.2808 ft).
- Area (sq ft). Rectangle: length × width. Circle: π × (diameter ÷ 2)². Triangle: ½ × base × height. Multiple areas are summed.
- Volume (cu ft). Area × depth (in) ÷ 12. Then the waste allowance is applied: volume × (1 + waste%).
- Cubic yards. Cubic feet ÷ 27. Cubic meters = cubic yards × 0.7646.
- Tons and bags. Tons = cubic yards × density (short tons per cubic yard). Tonnes = tons × 0.9072. Bags = cubic feet ÷ bag size, rounded up to a whole bag.
Volume is exact for the dimensions entered. Weight is an estimate because density varies with moisture, grading and compaction; see the ranges below.
The coverage rule
One cubic yard spread 1 inch deep covers 324 square feet (27 cu ft × 12 in/ft). At any other depth, divide 324 by the depth in inches.
Every extra inch of depth shrinks the area. Exact figures in the table below.
- 1 in324 sq ft
- 2 in162 sq ft
- 3 in108 sq ft
- 4 in81 sq ft
- 6 in54 sq ft
| Depth | 1 cubic yard covers | Yards per 100 sq ft |
|---|---|---|
| 1 in | 324 sq ft | 0.31 yd³ |
| 2 in | 162 sq ft | 0.62 yd³ |
| 3 in | 108 sq ft | 0.93 yd³ |
| 4 in | 81 sq ft | 1.23 yd³ |
| 6 in | 54 sq ft | 1.85 yd³ |
| 8 in | 41 sq ft | 2.47 yd³ |
| 12 in | 27 sq ft | 3.70 yd³ |
Waste and compaction allowance
Defaults: 10% for gravel, stone and sand; 5% for mulch, soil and topsoil; 0% on the plain cubic yard calculator. These are the allowances landscape suppliers commonly recommend for settling, edge spillage and uneven subgrade. Crusher run and other base materials compact 15–20% under a plate compactor; the slider goes to 30% for that case. The allowance is applied before tons and bags are calculated, so every number in the result includes it.
Densities used, by calculator
Short tons (2,000 lb) per loose cubic yard. The default is the figure most supplier charts quote; the range covers dry to damp material from the sources below.
Gravel (calculator)
| Type | Default (t/yd³) | Range | lb per yd³ | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crushed stone / gravel (3/4 in) | 1.4 | 1.3–1.5 | 2,800 | |
| Pea gravel (3/8 in) | 1.35 | 1.3–1.45 | 2,700 | |
| Crusher run / road base (compacts) | 1.45 | 1.4–1.55 | 2,900 | Compacts about 15–20%; the waste slider is set to cover it. |
| Decomposed granite | 1.35 | 1.3–1.45 | 2,700 | |
| River rock (1–3 in) | 1.35 | 1.3–1.45 | 2,700 | |
| Crushed limestone (#57) | 1.45 | 1.4–1.5 | 2,900 |
Default depth 3 in · waste 10% · default bag 0.5 cu ft.
Mulch (calculator)
| Type | Default (t/yd³) | Range | lb per yd³ | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shredded hardwood mulch | 0.3 | 0.2–0.4 | 600 | About 400–800 lb per yard depending on moisture. |
| Bark mulch / nuggets | 0.25 | 0.2–0.35 | 500 | |
| Cedar or cypress mulch | 0.25 | 0.2–0.35 | 500 | |
| Dyed (black, red, brown) mulch | 0.3 | 0.2–0.4 | 600 | |
| Pine straw (loose) | 0.15 | 0.1–0.2 | 300 | Usually sold by the bale, not the yard; one bale covers roughly 40–50 sq ft. |
| Rubber mulch | 0.65 | 0.55–0.75 | 1,300 | Usually priced by weight; one ton covers roughly 250 sq ft at 2 in. |
Default depth 3 in · waste 5% · default bag 2 cu ft.
Soil (calculator)
| Type | Default (t/yd³) | Range | lb per yd³ | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Garden soil / planting mix | 0.9 | 0.8–1.1 | 1,800 | |
| Screened topsoil (loose) | 1.05 | 1–1.3 | 2,100 | |
| Fill dirt | 1.1 | 1–1.3 | 2,200 | |
| Raised bed mix | 0.7 | 0.6–0.9 | 1,400 | |
| Compost | 0.6 | 0.5–0.8 | 1,200 | |
| Potting soil | 0.5 | 0.4–0.6 | 1,000 |
Default depth 6 in · waste 5% · default bag 1 cu ft.
Topsoil (calculator)
| Type | Default (t/yd³) | Range | lb per yd³ | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screened topsoil (loose, dry) | 1.05 | 1–1.15 | 2,100 | |
| Topsoil (packed or damp) | 1.3 | 1.2–1.4 | 2,600 | |
| Topsoil (wet) | 1.6 | 1.5–1.7 | 3,200 | |
| Topsoil + compost blend | 0.9 | 0.8–1 | 1,800 |
Default depth 4 in · waste 5% · default bag 0.75 cu ft.
Rock & stone (calculator)
| Type | Default (t/yd³) | Range | lb per yd³ | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| River rock (1–3 in) | 1.35 | 1.3–1.45 | 2,700 | |
| Landscape rock / crushed stone | 1.4 | 1.3–1.5 | 2,800 | |
| Marble chips | 1.35 | 1.3–1.45 | 2,700 | |
| Lava rock | 0.75 | 0.6–0.9 | 1,500 | Porous and light: about half the weight of river rock. |
| Crushed limestone | 1.45 | 1.4–1.5 | 2,900 | |
| Granite chips / decomposed granite | 1.35 | 1.3–1.45 | 2,700 |
Default depth 3 in · waste 10% · default bag 0.5 cu ft.
Sand (calculator)
| Type | Default (t/yd³) | Range | lb per yd³ | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sand (dry, loose) | 1.35 | 1.25–1.4 | 2,700 | |
| Concrete / coarse sand | 1.4 | 1.3–1.5 | 2,800 | |
| Mason / fine sand | 1.35 | 1.25–1.4 | 2,700 | |
| Play sand (washed) | 1.35 | 1.25–1.4 | 2,700 | |
| Sand (wet) | 1.65 | 1.5–1.7 | 3,300 | |
| Polymeric sand (paver joints) | 1.4 | 1.3–1.5 | 2,800 | Only fills the joints: plan on about one 50 lb bag per 50–100 sq ft of pavers. |
Default depth 1 in · waste 10% · default bag 0.5 cu ft.
Weight reference table
The consolidated table used by the cubic yards to tons converter.
| Material | lb per yd³ | Tons per yd³ |
|---|---|---|
| Gravel, crushed stone (3/4 in) | 2,600–3,000 | 1.4 |
| Pea gravel | 2,600–2,900 | 1.35 |
| River rock | 2,600–2,900 | 1.35 |
| Crushed limestone (#57) | 2,800–3,000 | 1.45 |
| Lava rock | 1,200–1,800 | 0.75 |
| Sand (dry) | 2,500–2,800 | 1.35 |
| Sand (wet) | 3,000–3,400 | 1.65 |
| Topsoil (loose, dry) | 2,000–2,300 | 1.05 |
| Topsoil (packed or damp) | 2,400–2,800 | 1.3 |
| Fill dirt | 2,000–2,600 | 1.1 |
| Garden soil / compost blend | 1,600–2,200 | 0.9 |
| Compost | 1,000–1,600 | 0.6 |
| Hardwood mulch | 400–800 | 0.3 |
| Bark mulch | 400–700 | 0.25 |
Sources
Densities were cross-checked against the following supplier and public materials charts. Where sources disagreed, the default was set at the value quoted most often and the range widened to include the others.
- Two Rivers-Ottauquechee Regional Commission, "Material Weight – Pounds per Cubic Yard". Topsoil loose 2,050 lb; packed 2,565 lb; wet 3,375 lb. Gravel 3/4 in dry 2,565 lb; wet 3,375 lb. Pea gravel 2,700 lb. Sand dry 2,750 lb; wet 3,300 lb. Accessed 17 Oct 2026.
- Elements Landscape Supply, Bulk Material Calculator. Crushed limestone 2,800–3,000 lb (about 1.45 tons) per loose yard; topsoil about 1.1 tons; sand about 1.35 tons. Coverage: 1 yd³ covers 81 sq ft at 4 in. Accessed 17 Oct 2026.
- Earth Stone Rock, "Cubic Yards vs. Tons: A Landscape Material Guide". Decomposed granite about 2,700 lb (1.35 tons); landscape gravel and pea gravel about 2,700 lb per cubic yard. Accessed 17 Oct 2026.
- OTTR Supply, "How Much Does Fill Dirt Weigh?". Fill dirt about 2,000 lb (1 ton) per cubic yard; a tandem dump truck carries about 14 yards. Accessed 17 Oct 2026.
- Gardener’s Supply Company, "How Much Mulch Do I Need?". Most mulch bags hold 2 cu ft, so 13.5 bags make one cubic yard. Accessed 17 Oct 2026.
- Pine Straw King, "How Many Bags of Mulch in a Yard?". A cubic yard of mulch weighs 400–800 lb depending on type and moisture. Accessed 17 Oct 2026.
Figures without a listed source (rubber mulch, lava rock, pine straw, compost, potting soil, polymeric sand coverage, dump-truck payloads) are typical industry values and are marked approximate on their pages. Bag sizes reflect the standard retail sizes sold at US garden centers and home-improvement stores.
Prices
Price ranges on the calculator pages come from published cost guides and, where we could find one, a real supplier price page as a cross-check. We copy each range exactly as the source prints it. We don’t average sources, round figures or fill a gap with an estimate. When two sources (or two parts of one page) disagree, we show both rows. National ranges are wide because delivery distance and local supply move prices a lot, so treat them as a way to sanity-check a quote, not as a quote.
Prices were last checked in November 2026. These are the sources currently cited:
- HomeGuide, How Much Does Crushed Stone or Gravel Cost? (2026), updated December 2025.
- HomeGuide, How Much Does Mulch Cost? (2026), updated April 2025.
- HomeGuide, How Much Do Landscaping River Rocks and Stones Cost? (2026), updated December 2025.
- HomeGuide, How Much Does Sand Delivery Cost? (2026), updated June 2026.
- Angi, What Are Average Gravel Prices? [2026 Data], updated September 2026.
- Angi, How Much Does Mulch Delivery and Installation Cost? [2026 Data], updated October 2026.
- Angi, What Is the Cost of Topsoil? [2026 Data], updated October 2026.
- Angi, How Much Does Fill Dirt Cost? [2026 Data], updated September 2026.
- Angi, How Much Does Sand Delivery Cost? [2026 Data], updated October 2026.
- Lawn Love, How Much Does Mulch Cost in 2026?, updated October 2026.
- Lawn Love, How Much Does Topsoil Cost in 2026?, updated October 2026.
- The Home Depot, Vigoro 0.5 cu. ft. Bagged Pea Gravel Pebble Landscape Rock (54255).
- The Home Depot, Vigoro 2 cu. ft. Premium Brown Wood Shredded Bagged Mulch (52050196).
- Bridgewater Farm Supply (MA), Bark Mulch \ Wood Mulch.
- Bridgewater Farm Supply (MA), BFS Delivery Fee by Town.
- Speedway Construction Products, Sand.
Supplier rows are single local list prices and are labeled with the store or town they came from.
Limits
- Results are planning estimates. Confirm quantities and weights with your supplier before ordering.
- Depth presets are general recommendations, not engineering specifications. Driveways, retaining walls and structural bases need local code and a contractor's judgment.
- The calculators do not account for slope, irregular subgrade or the compaction of underlying soil.
Found an error, or have a supplier spec sheet with a better figure? Tell us and we will update the table and this page.