Ordering mulch, gravel, or stone by the cubic yard? This calculator converts your bed dimensions into the exact volume you need, whether you're covering garden beds, building paths, or filling a driveway.
Area Dimensions
ft
ft
Depth
in
Scenario: You're spreading pea gravel on a side-yard path that's 25 ft long and 3 ft wide to a depth of 4 inches.
Result: Area is 75 sq ft. At 4 inches deep, volume is 75 x 0.333 ft / 27 = 0.93 cubic yards. Order 1 cubic yard.
Measure your bed in feet (length x width), multiply by depth in feet, then divide by 27 to convert to cubic yards. For a 100 sq ft bed at 3 inches deep: 100 x 0.25 / 27 = 0.93 cubic yards, so order 1 yard.
Apply 2-3 inches of mulch for flower beds and around trees. Going deeper than 4 inches can suffocate plant roots and trap too much moisture. Keep mulch 3-6 inches away from tree trunks and plant stems.
About 13.5 standard 2-cubic-foot bags equal one cubic yard. If you need more than 2-3 cubic yards, bulk delivery is cheaper and saves you from loading dozens of bags into your car.
Mulch (wood chips, bark) insulates soil, retains moisture, and breaks down to feed the soil, but needs replacing every 1-2 years. Gravel is permanent and drains well, making it better for paths and driveways but not for garden beds.
Want to learn more before you start your project?
Read the full guide →
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