Topsoil, Gravel and Sand Calculator
Choose a material and enter the area and depth. You get cubic yards, cubic feet and estimated weight.
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Multiply length by width by depth (in feet) to get cubic feet, then divide by 27 for cubic yards. Suppliers sell bulk materials by the cubic yard or by the ton, so this calculator shows both. Order a little extra, because loose material settles and compacts once it is spread.
Cubic yards vs. tons
A cubic yard is a measure of volume and a ton is a measure of weight. Heavier materials like crushed stone weigh around 1.5 tons per cubic yard, while compost may weigh only half a ton. Wet material weighs more. If your supplier prices by the ton, ask what they use for the material you are buying.
Typical depths
New lawns need 4 to 6 inches of topsoil. Garden paths usually take 2 to 4 inches of gravel. Patios and driveways need 4 to 8 inches of compacted base under the surface material. Add 10 to 15 percent for gravel and base that will be compacted.
Estimates only. For structural work like driveways and retaining walls, follow local building guidance.
Worked examples
- Raised garden bed: 10 ft × 12 ft at 4 inches deep. That is 10 × 12 × (4 ÷ 12) = 40 cubic feet, or about 1.48 cubic yards. With 10% extra for settling, order about 1.6 cubic yards.
- Gravel path: 3 ft wide, 40 ft long, 3 inches deep. That is 3 × 40 × 0.25 = 30 cubic feet, or about 1.1 cubic yards.
How far does one cubic yard go?
A cubic yard is 27 cubic feet, so the area it covers depends only on how deep you spread it:
| Depth | Area covered by 1 cubic yard |
|---|---|
| 1 inch | 324 sq ft |
| 2 inches | 162 sq ft |
| 3 inches | 108 sq ft |
| 4 inches | 81 sq ft |
| 6 inches | 54 sq ft |
Bags or bulk delivery?
Bagged soil and gravel is usually sold in half-cubic-foot or one-cubic-foot bags. It takes 54 half-foot bags, or 27 one-foot bags, to make one cubic yard. Bags make sense for small beds and for anything you carry in a car. Once you need more than a yard or so, bulk delivery is normally cheaper, but ask about the delivery fee and minimum order, and decide where the pile will be dropped before the truck arrives.
Mistakes that throw off the order
- Typing depth in feet instead of inches. The depth box expects inches, so 4 inches should be entered as 4, not 0.33.
- Forgetting that base material compacts. Gravel under a patio or shed is packed down, so order more than the flat volume.
- Using one depth for a sloped yard. Measure a few spots and use the average depth.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cubic yard of topsoil weigh?
It varies with moisture and the mix, but plan on roughly a ton or a little more. Ask your supplier for the weight they use, especially if the truck has a weight limit.
Can I mix topsoil and compost?
Yes. Many gardeners blend them for raised beds. Calculate the total volume first, then split it between the two materials by the ratio you want.