Calculate how much mulch, gravel, sand, or topsoil you need by area and depth. Shows volume in m³, total weight, and number of bags. Free, instant, no registration.
A landscape material calculator estimates how much mulch, gravel, sand, or topsoil is needed to cover an area at a given depth. It converts the area and depth into a volume, then into total weight and the number of bags required, helping you buy the right amount for a project.
2.5 m³
Volume (m³)
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Landscape Materials
When landscaping, adding drainage, or creating decorative surfaces, correctly calculating materials is key. Too little means an uncovered area and a second order; too much means unnecessary cost. The volume is straightforward: area (m²) × depth (cm) / 100 = volume in m³. Our calculator also adds weight and the number of 25 kg or 40 L bags.
Different materials have very different densities: mulch is very light (200 kg/m³), while gravel is nearly 8 times heavier (1,680 kg/m³). This makes it especially important to calculate weight when planning transport.
Material Types
Mulch — organic material (wood chips, bark) for mulching around plants. It retains moisture, suppresses weeds, and improves the soil. Standard depth: 5–10 cm. Gravel — for drainage layers, paths, and decorative surfaces. Much heavier and more durable than mulch.
Sand — for leveling layers under pavers, play areas, and building mixes. Soil / Topsoil — for raising garden beds, seeding lawns, and improving existing soil. Topsoil is lighter and more nutrient-rich than regular soil.
Weight and Transport
Weight directly determines transport costs. A small truck (around 5 tonnes) can carry about 3 m³ of gravel but over 25 m³ of mulch. Knowing the weight in advance lets you decide whether you need a small delivery or a full bulk truck load.
When ordering bagged material: standard bags are 25–40 kg or 40 liters in volume. Our calculator shows both formats for easy price comparison at the store.
Tips
Add a 10–15% buffer
Terrain is rarely perfectly flat. Add a buffer for surface irregularities and material compaction during installation.
Lay geotextile under gravel
It prevents mixing with the soil below and suppresses weeds, extending the life of the surface.
Refresh mulch every year
Organic mulch breaks down over time. Add a 2–3 cm fresh layer every spring.
Wet the ground before a sand layer
Moist soil under a leveling sand layer reduces settling after pavers are installed.
Edge restraints are essential
Without proper edging, pavers and gravel spread outward over time. Install metal or plastic edge restraints.
Compact in layers
For gravel or aggregate, compact every 10–15 cm layer separately for a stable, long-lasting base.
Volume = area (m²) × depth (m). For example: 50 m² area covered to 5 cm (0.05 m) depth = 2.5 m³. Our calculator handles the unit conversion — enter area in m² or ft² and depth in cm or inches.
Weight varies significantly by material: mulch is very light (200 kg/m³), while gravel is heavy (1,680 kg/m³). Sand is 1,600 kg/m³, soil is 1,200 kg/m³, and topsoil is 950 kg/m³. Knowing the weight helps you plan transport and delivery.
For most garden beds, apply 5–8 cm (2–3 inches) of mulch. This is enough to retain moisture and suppress weeds without preventing water from reaching plant roots. Refresh with 2–3 cm each spring as the mulch decomposes.
Topsoil is the upper 5–20 cm of natural soil, rich in organic matter and microorganisms — the best growing medium for plants. Regular 'soil' in landscaping is typically a fill material, less nutrient-rich, used for grading and raising beds. Topsoil is lighter (950 kg/m³) and more expensive.
For a garden path, use 5–10 cm (2–4 inches) of gravel depth. A standard path of 10 m² at 7 cm depth = 0.7 m³ of gravel ≈ 1,176 kg. At 25 kg per bag, that's about 47 bags. Our calculator computes this instantly.