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Gravel, Mulch & Soil Calculator
Volume and weight of gravel, sand, soil or mulch for an area and depth.
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Densities marked typical are rough averages for dry, loose material. Real weight changes with moisture (wet sand and soil can be much heavier), stone size and how much the material has settled, so treat the weight as an estimate and ask your supplier how they measure a load. Typical depths: 5 to 8 cm (2 to 3 in) for mulch, 5 cm (2 in) of gravel on a path, more for a driveway base.
How to use it
- Pick Metric or Imperial, then choose the material. Its typical density is filled in; change it if your supplier gives a figure.
- Enter the area as a rectangle, a circle or a known area, and the depth you want.
- Set an allowance for settling and waste, then read the volume and weight.
Questions
How is the amount worked out?
Area times depth gives the volume. A bed 4 m by 2 m covered 5 cm deep needs 4 x 2 x 0.05 = 0.4 cubic metres. In imperial, 12 ft by 6 ft at 3 in deep is 12 x 6 x 0.25 = 18 cubic feet, or 0.67 cubic yards. Weight is the volume times the material's density.
Why add extra?
Loose material settles and compacts once it is spread and walked on, some is lost into the soil underneath, and ground is rarely perfectly level. An allowance of around 10 percent is common; compacted sub-base for a driveway can need more.
Is the weight exact?
No. Density depends on the stone size, how wet the material is and how loosely it is heaped. Dry sand is often around 1.6 tonnes per cubic metre, but wet sand is heavier. Use the weight as a guide for delivery and for what a trailer can carry, and check the supplier's own figure.
What is a US ton?
The short ton used in the United States, 2,000 lb or about 907 kg. A metric tonne is 1,000 kg, about 2,205 lb. Results show both so you can match how your supplier sells.
About this tool
About the gravel, mulch and soil calculator
Garden and driveway materials are sold by volume or by weight, often both, and it is hard to picture how much a bed or a path will take. Enter the area and the depth and this calculator gives the volume and an estimated weight.
How it works
- Enter the area as a rectangle, a circle or an area you already know.
- Enter the depth you want to cover.
- Add an allowance for settling and waste, around 10 percent being common.
- Pick the material to fill in a typical density, or type your supplier's figure.
Volume is area times depth. Weight is volume times density, shown in tonnes and kilograms, or US tons and pounds.
About the densities
The densities listed are typical averages for dry, loose material and are labelled as typical. Real weight changes with moisture, stone size and compaction: wet sand and soil are much heavier than dry. Use the weight as a guide for delivery and trailer loads, and check how your supplier measures a load. As a guide, mulch is usually spread 5 to 8 cm (2 to 3 inches) deep and path gravel about 5 cm (2 inches).
Switch between metric and imperial at any time; values you have typed are converted.
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