How much mulch do I need?

Calculate the area in square feet (length × width), then multiply by the depth in feet. Divide by 27 to get cubic yards. For a 2-inch mulch layer: Area (sq ft) × 0.167 ft ÷ 27 = cubic yards. A 10×20 ft bed with 3" of mulch needs about 1.85 cubic yards.

How many bags of mulch do I need?

A standard 2 cubic foot bag of mulch covers about 8 sq ft at 3 inches deep. Divide your total square footage by 8 to get the number of bags. For a 200 sq ft bed at 3" depth, you'd need about 25 bags. Bulk delivery is usually cheaper for areas over 500 sq ft.

How much does landscaping material cost per cubic yard?

Bulk mulch costs $25–$60 per cubic yard delivered. Decorative gravel runs $35–$75/yd³. Topsoil is $20–$50/yd³. River rock is $50–$150/yd³. Delivery fees typically add $50–$150 depending on distance. Bagged materials cost 2–3× more per yard but are easier for small projects.

How much sod do I need for my yard?

Measure your yard area in square feet. Add 5% for waste and trimming. A standard sod pallet covers 450–500 sq ft. For a 2,000 sq ft lawn: 2,000 × 1.05 = 2,100 sq ft, which is about 4.5 pallets. Sod costs $0.30–$0.85 per sq ft depending on grass type.

Landscaping Calculator — Mulch, Gravel, Topsoil & Sod

Landscaping Materials Guide: Complete Cost & Coverage Reference

Getting the right amount of material saves money and trips to the store. Here's everything you need to know about calculating and choosing landscaping materials.

The Universal Formula

For mulch, gravel, topsoil, and any bulk material:

Cubic Yards = Length (ft) × Width (ft) × Depth (ft) ÷ 27

Remember to convert inches to feet (divide by 12). Example: 3 inches = 0.25 feet.

Mulch Coverage & Cost (2026)

Mulch Type	Bulk Price/yd³	Bag Price (2 cu ft)	Lifespan
Hardwood Mulch	$25–$45	$3.50–$5.00	1–2 years
Cedar Mulch	$35–$55	$4.50–$7.00	2–3 years
Pine Bark Mulch	$30–$50	$4.00–$6.00	1–2 years
Dyed Mulch (red/black)	$30–$50	$4.00–$6.00	1–2 years
Rubber Mulch	$80–$150	$7.00–$12.00	10+ years
Pine Straw (bale)	$4–$8/bale	—	6–12 months

Coverage tip: 1 cubic yard of mulch covers about 162 sq ft at 2" deep, 108 sq ft at 3" deep, or 81 sq ft at 4" deep.

Gravel Coverage & Cost

Gravel Type	Bulk Price/yd³	Weight/yd³	Best Use
Pea Gravel	$35–$55	~2,800 lbs	Paths, drainage, dog runs
Crushed Stone (#57)	$30–$50	~2,700 lbs	Driveways, base material
River Rock	$50–$150	~2,600 lbs	Decorative, dry creek beds
Decomposed Granite	$40–$60	~3,000 lbs	Patios, paths, xeriscaping
Lava Rock	$60–$100	~1,500 lbs	Decorative beds, fire pits
Drainage Gravel	$25–$40	~2,800 lbs	French drains, retaining walls

Sod Coverage & Cost

Grass Type	Cost/sq ft	Pallet Coverage	Best Climate
Bermuda	$0.30–$0.55	450–500 sq ft	Hot, full sun (South)
Tall Fescue	$0.35–$0.65	450–500 sq ft	Transition zone, shade OK
Kentucky Bluegrass	$0.40–$0.70	450–500 sq ft	Cool, northern climates
Zoysia	$0.45–$0.85	450–500 sq ft	Warm/transition, low maint.
St. Augustine	$0.40–$0.75	400–450 sq ft	Hot, coastal, shade tolerant

Bulk vs. Bagged: When to Use Each

Factor	Bagged	Bulk Delivery
Best for	Under 2 cubic yards	Over 3 cubic yards
Cost per yard	$150–$350 (mulch)	$25–$60 (mulch)
Convenience	Buy anytime, easy to transport	Delivered, dumped in driveway
Precision	Exact amounts	Rounded to nearest ½ yard
Labor	Load/unload bags from car	Wheelbarrow from pile

5 Landscaping Material Mistakes to Avoid

Too much mulch. Over 4 inches of mulch suffocates plant roots and creates fungal problems. For existing beds, just top off to 3 inches — don't keep piling on.
Mulch volcanoes around trees. Don't pile mulch against tree trunks. Keep a 3–6 inch gap. Volcano mulching causes rot, disease, and pest problems.
Wrong gravel for the job. Pea gravel shifts under foot traffic and is terrible for driveways. Use crushed stone with fines for driveways and decomposed granite for paths.
Not prepping soil before sod. Sod needs 4–6 inches of good topsoil, a smooth surface, and starter fertilizer. Laying sod on compacted clay = dead grass.
Skipping landscape fabric under gravel. Without fabric, gravel sinks into soil within a year. Use woven landscape fabric (not plastic sheeting) under all gravel installations.

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