Topsoil & Mulch Calculator — ft, yd³, bags
How to use this calculator
Choose your area shape — rectangle, circle, L-shape, or direct custom area — and enter dimensions in feet and inches. Select the material type, set the depth, and adjust waste allowance. Results update instantly with volume, bag count, weight, and truck loads.
Material — eight types with accurate densities: topsoil, garden soil, compost, wood chip mulch, bark mulch, rubber mulch, peat moss, and sand.
Bags — choose 1 ft³, 2 ft³, or 1 yd³ bulk bags.
Cost — price per bag or per cubic yard with optional delivery fee.
Saved Calculations
| Time | Shape | Material | Area ft² | Vol yd³ | Bags | Weight | Cost |
|---|
How to Calculate Topsoil & Mulch
This calculator estimates the volume of topsoil, mulch, compost, or other landscape materials needed to cover an area to a given depth. Enter dimensions in feet and inches for rectangle, circle, L-shape, or custom area, set the desired depth (2–6 inches for mulch, 4–12 inches for topsoil), and get results in cubic yards, bags, weight, and truck loads.
Formulas
Volume = Area × Depth. For a rectangle, Area = Length × Width. For a circle, Area = π × (Diameter/2)². Volume in cubic yards = Volume in ft³ ÷ 27. Bags = Volume in ft³ ÷ bag size. Weight = Volume in yd³ × material density (lb/yd³). Truck loads = Volume ÷ 10 yd³.
Material Densities
Topsoil: ~2,000 lb/yd³ · Garden soil: ~1,800 lb/yd³ · Compost: ~1,000 lb/yd³ · Wood chip mulch: ~600 lb/yd³ · Bark mulch: ~500 lb/yd³ · Rubber mulch: ~1,200 lb/yd³ · Peat moss: ~400 lb/yd³ · Sand: ~2,700 lb/yd³.
FAQ
How deep should I apply mulch? 2–3 inches for flower beds, 3–4 inches for pathways, up to 6 inches for weed suppression. How deep for topsoil? 4–6 inches for new lawns, 8–12 inches for garden beds. All estimates are for planning — actual quantities may vary with ground conditions.
