Dirt Calculator

Loose bulk densities from the US EPA Standard Volume-to-Weight Conversion Factors table.
Overrides the table density. A supplier ticket in tons per cubic yard divides by 27 and multiplies by 2000 to give lb/ft3.
Used when you are starting from a tonnage. The bulk density above converts it to a volume.
Typical spreads: 2-3 in of mulch, 3-4 in of decorative stone, 4-6 in of driveway gravel, 4-6 in of new topsoil.
Loose delivered gravel loses roughly 10-20% of its volume when compacted into a base.
Raised beds and garden beds are normally filled with a blend rather than one material. Set the share below.
By volume. 0 means a single material. A common raised-bed fill is roughly a third compost by volume.
Volume
18.5185 yd3
Gravel, Soil and Mulch Calculator
Area covered
1,000.00 ft2
Area covered
111.111 yd2
Area covered
92.903 m2
Depth
6.000 in
Volume
500.000 ft3
Volume
14.1584 m3
Order this much (rounded up to the half yard)
19.00 yd3
Bulk density used
88.59 lb/ft3
Weight
44,296 lb
Weight
22.148 ton (US short)
Weight
20.092 t (metric)
Weight
20,092.5 kg
Bags needed
500
Order this much (rounded up to the half ton)
22.5 ton (US short)
One cubic yard covers
54.00 ft2
Cost by the cubic yard
740.74 USD
Best available total cost
740.74 USD
Worked out from U.S. EPA, Standard Volume-to-Weight Conversion Factors (loose bulk densities for gravel, sand, stone, soil, wood chips and compost) and 3 other sources.
No compaction allowance was applied. Loose gravel and crushed stone lose roughly 10-20% of their volume once compacted into a base.
Moisture content moves bulk weight substantially. Wet sand and gravel can be 20-30% heavier than the dry figures above.

How this is worked out

7 steps
  1. Area = 1000 sq ft entered directly = 1000 sq ft
  2. Depth = 6 in = 0.5 ft
  3. Volume = 1000 x 0.5 = 500 cu ft = 18.5185 cu yd
  4. Density = 88.593 lb/ft3 (EPA table: Soil/sandy loam, loose - 1 cubic yard - 2,392 lb (Tellus); 2392/27 = 88.593)
  5. Weight = 500 x 88.593 = 44296.3 lb = 22.148 US short tons
  6. Bags = ceil(500 cu ft / 1 cu ft) = 500
  7. Cheapest quoted route = $740.74

Results are general information, not financial, tax, legal, medical or engineering advice.