Bulk Estimator

Work out how much bulk material to order — mulch, gravel, topsoil, sand, asphalt, sod — with the formula, the density range and the sources shown on every page.

Every calculator shows the formula it uses, the density range it assumes and where that number comes from — so you can check the maths yourself.

• Asphalt Calculator

  Enter your area and paving depth to get the tonnage, volume and truckloads you need — with the density we used and where it came from shown underneath.

• Topsoil Calculator

  Enter your area and depth to get cubic yards, short tons and bag counts — and choose whether your soil is loose, in place or compacted, because it changes the weight by up to 60%.

• Crusher Run Calculator

  Work out the tonnage of crusher run or dense-graded aggregate base for a driveway, road or pad — using a density range that two separate state DOTs agree on.

• Paver Base Calculator

  Work out the aggregate for both the compacted base layer and the bedding course under pavers — calculated separately, because they are placed at very different thicknesses.

• Mulch Calculator

  Enter your bed area and the depth of mulch you want. You get cubic yards and bags — and an honest explanation of why no weight is shown.

• Gravel Calculator

  Enter your area and depth to get tonnage, volume, bag counts and truckloads — and choose loose or compacted, because the same gravel weighs 40% more once it is rolled.

• Sand Calculator

  Enter your area and depth to get cubic yards, short tons and bag counts, and choose whether the sand is loose or compacted.

• Compost Calculator

  Enter your area and the depth you want to apply, and get cubic yards, tons and bags — using the compost industry's own published bulk density figures.

• Sod Calculator

  Enter your lawn area to get the number of pallets and rolls you need, including a waste allowance for cuts and edges.

• Fill Dirt Calculator

  Enter the area and how much you need to raise it, and get cubic yards and tons — with the loose and compacted soil densities and their sources.

• Wood Chip Calculator

  Enter your bed area and the depth of mulch you want, and get cubic yards, tons and bags of wood chips.