Mulch and Topsoil Calculator (Cubic Yards)

How to do it

1. 1
   Step 1: Open Mulch and Topsoil Calculator (Cubic Yards) and add your input

   Type your numbers or text, add your file, or pick the options you need. Nothing is uploaded: everything stays in your browser.

2. 2
   Step 2: What Mulch and Topsoil Calculator (Cubic Yards) does

   Calculate the cubic yards, bags and weight of mulch or topsoil for an area and depth.

3. 3
   Step 3: Read the result and compare

   The result appears at once. Change one value to see how the answer moves, then keep the figure that fits your case.

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   Step 4: Copy or save it

   Copy the result or download it. For an important decision, confirm it with the official source or an adviser.

About this tool

Enter the area in square feet, the depth in inches and the size of a bag in cubic feet. The calculator gives the volume in cubic yards and cubic feet, the number of bags and the approximate tons of soil.

Formula

Cubic yards = area × depth in feet ÷ 27, which is area × depth in inches ÷ 324. A cubic yard covers about 108 square feet at 3 inches deep and 324 square feet at 1 inch.

Depth

Mulch beds usually need 2 to 3 inches; topsoil for lawns 3 to 6 inches; raised beds 8 to 12 inches. Bulk delivery by the yard is cheaper than bags for larger areas.

Weight

Topsoil weighs about 1.1 tons per cubic yard when damp; mulch is lighter, about 0.4 to 0.6 tons.

Worked example

400 ft² at 3 inches deep needs 3.7 cubic yards, which is 100 ft³ or 50 bags of 2 cubic feet and about 4.1 tons of topsoil.

Tips for best results

Check every box before you rely on a result, because one wrong digit changes the whole answer. Use the exact figures from your payslip, bill, certificate or contract, and keep a note of the date you calculated. Rates, thresholds and rules change from time to time, so for tax, fees and legal matters treat the output as an estimate and confirm with the official source named on this page. You can run as many scenarios as you like; nothing is saved or sent, and refreshing the page clears the boxes.