Bulk yards vs bags
| Material | 1 cubic yard ≈ | When bags win |
|---|---|---|
| Mulch (2 cu ft bags) | ~13.5 bags | Under ~1 yd or tight access |
| Mulch (3 cu ft bags) | ~9 bags | Small beds and top-ups |
| Topsoil / compost blends | Bulk by the yard | Raised beds and small fills |
| Gravel / crushed stone | ~1.2–1.5 tons (density varies) | Only for tiny patches |
How to choose bulk vs bags
Bulk yards usually win on price once you need more than about a cubic yard and have truck access. Bags win for small beds, tree rings, and sites where a dump truck cannot reach. YardTally ton estimates use mid densities (gravel/sand ≈ 2,700 lb/yd³, topsoil ≈ 2,200 lb/yd³)—moisture and rock type move those numbers, so confirm with your stone yard ticket.
Worked example: 20×10 path at 4 inches
Area = 200 sq ft. Depth = 4÷12 = 0.333 ft. Volume = 66.7 cu ft ≈ 2.47 cu yd before waste; with 10% compaction allowance ≈ 2.72 cu yd ≈ 3.67 tons at 2,700 lb/yd³. Run the same dimensions in the gravel calculator.
Use the mulch calculator for rectangular beds and the tree ring calculator for donut volumes. Depth guidance: mulch depth guide (typically 2–3 inches for beds). Pair pavers with sand and gravel; see paver base depth and driveway gravel types.