Irregular areas
Access our Bulk Landscape Materials Calculator Here - Click on the image above.For estimating quantity needed for irregular areas break the area up into smaller workable shapes. Measure each of them and assign them a letter. Calculate square feet for each and add the square footage together to figure total needed.
Rectangle
- Measure Length and Width (in feet)
- Length x Width = square feet
- Determine desired depth of material (see recommended depths and chart below)
- Square feet divided by sq. ft. per yard (from chart) = cubic yards needed
- Example: A rectangular area 16 feet long by 10 feet wide and you want 4 inches deep of stone.
- Calculations:
- 16 x 10 = 160 square feet
- 160 divided by 81 = 2 cubic yards (81 comes from the chart, 81 is how many square feet 1 cubic yard covers at a 4 inch depth)
Triangle
- Measure length and width of 2 sides
- Length x Width x 0.5 = square feet
- Square feet divided by sq. ft. per yard (from chart) = cubic yards needed
- Example: Given a triangle are where one side is 40 feet long, one side is 10 feet long and you want 4 inches deep of mulch or stone
- Calculations:
- 40 x 10 x 0.5 = 200 square feet
- 200 divided by 81 = 2.5 cubic yards (81 comes from the chart)
Circle
- Determine radius (1/2 distance of diameter or distance across)
- Formula: Radius x Radius x 3.14 = square feet
- Square feet divided by sq. ft. per yard (from chart) = cubic yards needed
- Example: Given a circle 30 feet across (15 ft radius) and you want 3 inches deep
- Calculations:
- 15 x 15 x 3.14 = 706.5 square feet
- 706.5 divided by 108 = 6.5 cubic yards
Conversion Chart – Square Feet to Cubic Yards
Converts square feet to cubic yards 1 cubic yard will cover the following amount of square feet at the given depth.
- 1/4" deep 1296 square feet
- 1" deep 324 square feet
- 2" deep 162 square feet
- 3" deep 108 square feet
- 4" deep 81 square feet
- 6" deep 54 square feet
- 12" deep 27 square feet
Recommended Depth of Materials
- Bark Mulches 3"
- Stone less than 1" diameter 3"
- 1-1 1/2" Riverstone 4"
- Soil for Lush Lawns 4+"
- Garden Soil in Flower Beds 6-12"
- Lawn topdressing 1/4"
- Pathways 4"