Gravel and mulch calculator
Estimate cubic meters, tonnes, bags, and cubic yards of gravel, mulch, or topsoil from area and depth.
Loading tool…
Recommended next step
Continue with related tools
After using Gravel and mulch calculator, continue with Air conditioner size calculator.
Continue this path
Tools selected to complete the same task.
Tool guide
Gravel and mulch calculator: how it works
Practical information to understand the result and use this tool correctly.
About Gravel and mulch calculator
This calculator turns a bed, path, or driveway into a bulk order: area times depth, plus waste, then mass from a typical loose density. It covers crushed gravel, decorative stone, mulch, and topsoil. It is not a structural concrete mix — that lives in the concrete calculator.
Rectangle area is length times width. A circle uses π times radius squared. If you already measured the bed, enter the area directly. Depth is in centimetres and is converted to metres before multiplying, so 5 cm over 10 m² is 0.5 m³ before waste.
Order volume is the geometric volume times one plus the waste percent. Tonnes are order volume times the density you keep or change. Bags round up: by kilograms for stone and soil, or by litres for mulch sold in volume bags. Cubic yards are shown beside cubic metres (1 m³ ≈ 1.308 yd³) for suppliers who quote in yards.
Densities are loose bulk figures, not compacted in place. Gravel can settle 10–20% after traffic; add that as extra depth or waste if the finished level must stay at the target. Prices are optional material checks and exclude delivery, fabric, or edging.
How to use it
- 1Pick a material preset or set density and bag size yourself.
- 2Enter a rectangle, a circle, or a known area, then the depth in centimetres.
- 3Set waste (and bag unit: kg or litres). Prices are optional.
- 4Read cubic metres, tonnes, bags, and cubic yards, then copy the order.
Frequently asked questions
- How do I calculate how much gravel I need?
- Volume in cubic metres is area in m² times depth in centimetres divided by 100. A 4 m by 2.5 m path at 5 cm is 0.5 m³ before waste. At 1.5 t/m³ that is 0.75 tonnes.
- What density should I use?
- Crushed gravel is often about 1.4–1.6 t/m³ loose, decorative stone near 1.6, topsoil about 1.2–1.4, and mulch about 0.3–0.5. Match the supplier sheet if you have one; the presets are planning figures.
- Why show cubic yards and bags?
- Bulk yards are common in US quotes (m³ × 1.308). Bags round up so you do not stop short: weight bags use kilograms, volume bags use litres. Mulch is usually sold by the bag or by the yard, not by the tonne.
- Does compaction change the order?
- The tool orders loose material. If gravel will compact under traffic, increase depth or waste. It does not model a compacted density in place.
- Are measurements uploaded?
- No. Dimensions and prices stay in the browser and are not sent to a server.