Area Coverage Calculator
Calculate how much material you need to cover an area at your desired depth. Perfect for mulch, gravel, soil, and other landscaping materials.
🌱 Area Coverage Calculator
📊 Results
Enter your dimensions and click "Calculate Coverage" to see results
Coverage Guide
How Much Does a Cubic Yard Cover?
One cubic yard of material can cover different areas depending on the depth of application:
| Depth | Coverage Area |
|---|---|
| 1 inch | 324 square feet |
| 2 inches | 162 square feet |
| 3 inches | 108 square feet |
| 4 inches | 81 square feet |
| 6 inches | 54 square feet |
Formula: Coverage in square feet = (27 × 12) ÷ depth in inches
Recommended Material Depths
🍂 Mulch
- New beds: 2-4 inches
- Maintenance: 1-2 inches
- Around trees: 2-3 inches (keep away from trunk)
🪨 Gravel
- Decorative use: 2-3 inches
- Pathways: 2-3 inches
- Driveways: 4-6 inches (often in layers)
- Drainage areas: 3-4 inches
🌱 Soil
- New garden beds: 4-6 inches
- Raised beds: 8-12 inches
- Topdressing lawns: ¼-½ inch
♻️ Compost
- Soil amendment: 2-3 inches, tilled in
- Top dressing: ¼-½ inch
- New lawns: 1-2 inches, tilled in
Material Conversion Guide
Cubic Yards to Tons Conversion
Different materials have different weights. Use these conversions to estimate weight:
| Material | Weight per Cubic Yard |
|---|---|
| Mulch | 400-800 lbs (0.2-0.4 tons) |
| Gravel | 2,800 lbs (1.4 tons) |
| Soil (topsoil) | 2,200 lbs (1.1 tons) |
| Sand | 2,600 lbs (1.3 tons) |
| Compost | 1,000 lbs (0.5 tons) |
Bag Equivalents
For smaller projects, you might purchase materials in bags. Here's how they compare:
| Material | Typical Bag Size | Bags per Cubic Yard |
|---|---|---|
| Mulch | 2 cubic feet | 13-14 bags |
| Soil | 0.75 cubic feet | 36 bags |
| Compost | 1 cubic foot | 27 bags |
| Gravel/Sand | 0.5 cubic feet | 54 bags |
Note: One cubic yard equals 27 cubic feet.
Tips for Accurate Measurements
Measure Accurately
Use a measuring tape for precise dimensions. For irregular areas, break them down into simple shapes (rectangles, circles, triangles) and calculate each separately.
Add Extra Material
Add 10-15% extra material to account for settling, compaction, and uneven ground. This is especially important for mulch and soil which will compress over time.
Consider Delivery Minimums
Most suppliers have minimum delivery amounts (typically 3-5 cubic yards). For smaller projects, bagged materials from garden centers may be more practical.
Weight Limitations
Be aware of weight limitations for your vehicle if you're picking up materials yourself. Most pickup trucks can safely carry 1-2 cubic yards of heavy materials like gravel.
Frequently Asked Questions
The coverage area depends on the depth of application: At 1 inch deep: 324 square feet, At 2 inches deep: 162 square feet, At 3 inches deep: 108 square feet, At 4 inches deep: 81 square feet, At 6 inches deep: 54 square feet. Formula: Coverage in square feet = (27 × 12) ÷ depth in inches
Standard bags of mulch typically contain 2 cubic feet of material. To calculate how many bags you need: 1. Calculate the cubic feet needed: (Area in square feet × Depth in inches) ÷ 12, 2. Divide by the bag size: Cubic feet ÷ 2. For example, if you need 10 cubic feet of mulch, you would need 5 standard bags (10 ÷ 2 = 5).
Recommended depths vary by material and application: Mulch: 2-4 inches for new beds, 1-2 inches for maintenance. Gravel (decorative): 2-3 inches. Gravel (driveways): 4-6 inches, often in layers. Topsoil: 4-6 inches for new beds. Sand (paver base): 1 inch. Compost (soil amendment): 2-3 inches mixed into soil. Compost (top dressing): ¼ to ½ inch.
The conversion depends on the material density: Mulch: 1 cubic yard ≈ 0.2-0.4 tons. Gravel: 1 cubic yard ≈ 1.4 tons. Soil: 1 cubic yard ≈ 1.1 tons. Sand: 1 cubic yard ≈ 1.3 tons. Compost: 1 cubic yard ≈ 0.5 tons. To convert: Tons = Cubic Yards × Material Density (tons per cubic yard)
For irregular areas: 1. Break the area into simple shapes (rectangles, circles, triangles). 2. Calculate the area of each shape separately. 3. Add all the areas together to get the total area. 4. Calculate the volume based on the total area and desired depth. For very irregular shapes, consider dividing the area into a grid and estimating each section.
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