Field calculator
Mulch, gravel, and soil volume calculator
Enter the bed or area length and width in feet and the depth in inches. The calculator returns the volume in cubic yards and cubic feet, the number of 2-cubic-foot bags, and (if you add a unit weight) a tonnage estimate. Mulch is light, while screened topsoil, sand, and gravel are heavy, so confirm the unit weight and the final order with the supplier and add a little extra for settling.
Result
Order:
Volume is length times width times depth, converted to cubic yards (cubic feet divided by 27). Bagged mulch and soil usually come in 2 cubic foot bags. Enter a unit weight (lb per cubic foot) for a tonnage estimate: mulch runs light and screened topsoil or gravel run heavy, so confirm the weight with the supplier.
anvilfield.com/calculators/bulk-material-volume-calculator · Free field calculators and FieldOS. A planning estimate, verify against the code, the manufacturer, and the engineer of record.
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Bulk material FAQ
How deep should mulch be?
Mulch should be 2 to 3 inches deep. That suppresses most weeds and holds moisture while the soil still breathes. Under 2 inches lets light reach the soil and weeds push through. Past 3 to 4 inches the layer suffocates roots and sheds water, and root rot follows on poorly drained beds.
Does landscape fabric stop weeds?
Not in a planting bed with organic mulch on top. The mulch breaks down into soil on the fabric, weed seeds land and root in it, and the fabric ends up under the weeds while it chokes the soil below. Fabric only earns its keep under rock in a no-plant zone.
How much mulch do I need?
One cubic yard covers about 100 square feet at 3 inches deep, so divide the bed area in square feet by 100 for yards at 3 inches. At 2 inches a yard covers about 160 square feet. If you are refreshing, buy for the top-dress depth, not a full fresh layer.
What is a mulch volcano?
A mulch volcano is mulch piled in a cone against a tree trunk. It holds moisture against bark that needs to stay dry, rotting it, and it invites girdling roots that strangle the tree years later. Pull mulch back into a flat ring and keep the root flare exposed.
Organic or rock mulch: which is better for a planting bed?
Organic mulch wins for planting beds because it feeds the soil as it breaks down, though you refresh it on a schedule. Rock is permanent but gives the soil nothing, bakes the root zone, and still grows weeds in the grit. Save rock for drainage, xeriscape, and the noncombustible strip against a building.