Landscape & Paving Calculators
Bulk materials are sold by the ton, the cubic yard, the bag or the pallet. These calculators convert your area and depth into all of them, with typical densities and coverage for each material.
7 calculators · Imperial and metric · Free
Gravel Calculator Gravel, crushed stone, road base and sand in tons, yards, bags and truckloads. Landscape Rock Calculator River rock, DG, lava rock and cobbles, plus weed fabric and edging. Topsoil Calculator Topsoil, fill dirt, garden soil and compost in yards, tons or bags. Asphalt Calculator Tons of hot-mix asphalt and aggregate base for driveways and paving. Mulch Calculator Mulch in cubic yards and bags for beds and tree rings. Sod Calculator Sod pieces, rolls and pallets for any lawn shape. Grass Seed Calculator Seed by grass type for new lawns and overseeding.
Which calculator do I need?
| Project | Calculator | Typical material |
|---|---|---|
| Garden path or walkway | Gravel calculator | Pea gravel, 3/8" crushed stone |
| Gravel driveway | Gravel calculator | Crusher run base, #57 stone on top |
| Paved driveway | Asphalt calculator | Hot-mix asphalt over aggregate base |
| Decorative beds and dry creek beds | Landscape rock calculator | River rock, lava rock, cobbles |
| DG patio or path | Landscape rock calculator | Decomposed granite |
| New lawn or regrading | Topsoil calculator, then sod or grass seed | Topsoil over fill dirt |
| Mulching beds and tree rings | Mulch calculator | Shredded hardwood, bark, wood chips |
| Raised garden bed | Topsoil calculator | Garden soil mix, compost |
| Paver patio base | Gravel calculator | Crusher run, then 1" of sand |
Tons or cubic yards?
Bulk materials are measured by volume but often sold by weight. To convert, multiply cubic yards by the material's density. These typical figures are good for planning; your supplier's scale weight is the final word.
| Material | Approx. tons per cubic yard |
|---|---|
| Pea gravel, #57 crushed stone | 1.4 |
| Crusher run / road base | 1.5 |
| River rock, decomposed granite | 1.35 |
| Screened topsoil | 1.1 (more when wet) |
| Lava rock | 0.55 |
| Wood mulch | About 0.2–0.4, varies with moisture (sold by volume) |
| Hot-mix asphalt (compacted) | About 2 |
Tips for ordering bulk materials
- Get prices both per ton and per yard. Different suppliers use different units, and the calculators give you both.
- Ask about minimum orders and delivery fees. For small jobs, bags can beat a delivery charge.
- Have the load tipped as close to the work as possible, on a tarp if it lands on grass.
- Order compacting base materials with an allowance: they shrink 15% or more when rolled or tamped.