Order the right amount the first time. These free calculators work out how much material your garden or yard project needs. They work in US units (feet and inches) or metric, update as you type, and run entirely in your browser.
- Raised Bed Soil Calculator: cubic feet, cubic yards, litres and bags for one bed or several.
- Mulch Calculator: cubic yards and bags for rectangular beds, round beds or any area.
- Gravel Calculator: cubic yards, tons and cost for paths, patios and driveways.
- Fence Calculator: posts, rails, pickets and concrete for any fence length, with gates.
Which calculator do I need?
| Your project | Use this calculator |
|---|---|
| Filling a new raised bed or topping up an old one | Raised bed soil |
| Filling large containers or a planter box | Raised bed soil (enter the inside size) |
| Mulching flower beds, borders or around trees | Mulch |
| A gravel path, patio, parking pad or driveway | Gravel |
| Decorative stone or pea gravel in a bed | Gravel |
| A new privacy fence, picket fence or garden fence | Fence |
How to measure your space
- Rectangles and squares: measure the length and width at the widest points.
- Circles: measure straight across through the middle; that is the diameter.
- Irregular shapes: split the area into rough rectangles and circles, work out each area and add them together.
- Depth: measure in a few places and use the average. For topping up, measure only the depth you are adding.
- Fences: walk the full fence line with a long tape or measuring wheel, and note where gates and corners go.
Tips for ordering materials
- Buy a little extra. Soil settles, gravel compacts and ground is rarely level, so around 10% extra is common.
- Bags or bulk? Bags are easier for small jobs. From around one cubic yard upward, bulk delivery is often cheaper per cubic foot. Compare local prices.
- Check delivery minimums. Many suppliers have a minimum order or a delivery fee for bulk materials.
- Ask about weight. Gravel and stone vary in weight. Ask your supplier how many tons are in a cubic yard of the product you are buying, and enter it in the gravel calculator.
Handy conversions
| From | To |
|---|---|
| 1 cubic yard | 27 cubic feet (about 0.76 cubic metres) |
| 1 cubic foot | about 28.3 litres |
| 1 cubic metre | 1,000 litres (about 35.3 cubic feet) |
| 1 inch | 2.54 centimetres |
| 1 foot | 0.3048 metres |
Looking for ideas to go with your project? Browse small garden ideas and outdoor living ideas.
Calculator FAQ
Are these calculators free?
Yes. They are free, need no sign-up and run entirely in your browser. Nothing you enter is sent to us or stored.
How accurate are the results?
They use standard volume and area formulas, which are explained on each calculator page. Real amounts depend on settling, compaction and the exact shape of your space, so treat results as estimates and buy a little extra.
Can I use metric units?
Yes. Every calculator has a switch for US units or metric, and converts the numbers you have already entered.
How many bags are in a cubic yard?
A cubic yard is 27 cubic feet, so it is about 13.5 bags of 2 cubic feet, 18 bags of 1.5 cubic feet or 9 bags of 3 cubic feet.