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Material Estimators & Density Reference 📐

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At North Bay Materials Delivery Services, we believe ordering landscape supplies should be simple, accurate, and stress-free. Our Material Quantity Estimator allows you to calculate how much product you’ll need based on your project’s square footage and desired installation depth. Whether you’re working in Novato with mulch, gravel, soil blends, stone pebbles or with decomposed granite Vacaville , this tool helps you estimate the amount in cubic yards and tons, rounded to the nearest 0.5 to reduce risk of under-ordering.

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For budgeting and planning, our Price Quote Estimator uses the same dimensions along with your delivery zone and material type to generate a quick delivery estimate based on our current hourly trucking rates. Please note, all estimates are approximate and may vary based on job site access and local road conditions.

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Need help selecting the right material? Our Landscape Materials Density Chart offers a side-by-side comparison of weight ranges and tonnage conversions for common products we deliver. This reference ensures you’re ordering enough — without overpaying for overage.

WEIGHT - TON

VS

playground woodchips certified pile_edit

VOLUME - CUBIC YARD

Landscape Materials Density Chart

Material Type
Weight Per Cubic Yard +/-
Conversion to Ton(s) +/-
Mulch, Bark, Woodchips
500 - 800 lbs.
0.33 tons
Soil, Compost, Conditioner
1,000 - 1,500 lbs.
0.63 tons
Dirt
2,200 - 2,500 lbs.
1.2 tons
Lava Rock
1,400 - 1,600 lbs
0.75 tons
Sand, Gravel, DG, Rock, River Cobble
2,500 - 2,900 lbs.
1.35 tons

DISCLAIMER: Material weights are estimates and may vary significantly based on factors such as mineral composition, moisture content, compaction level, and source location. Products like gravel, rock, soil, and mulch can differ by batch due to natural variation. Use this chart as a general reference only—actual weights may be higher or lower. 

Frequently Asked Questions

"How big is a cubic yard?"

One cubic yard is 3 ft × 3 ft × 3 ft (27 cubic feet). It fills a space roughly the size of a standard washing machine.

~ 43 of the Home Depot 5-gallon buckets

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"How much area will a cubic yard?"

A cubic yard will cover approximately:

  • 300 square feet at 1 inch deep

  • 155 square feet at 2 inches deep

  • 100 square feet at 3 inches deep

Coverage can vary based on the material's compaction, moisture, and texture. 

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"How many tons in a cubic yard?"

It depends on material density.

  • Mulch ~0.35 tons/yard.

  • Soil ~0.6-1.2 tons/yard.

  • Gravel or rock ~1.3–1.5 tons/yard.

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"How much will a ton cover?"

It depends on the material’s density:

  • One ton of gravel (average 1.4 tons per yard) covers about 80–100 square feet at 2 inches deep.

  • Mulch or bark (lighter density) can cover 100–150 square feet at 2 inches deep.

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"How heavy is a cubic yard vs ton?"

Weights vary by material. For example,

1 cubic yard of mulch may weigh ~ 600 lbs, while 1 cubic yard of gravel can weigh ~ 2,400–3,000 lbs ( ~1.35 tons).

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"Will a load fit on my driveway?"

It depends on the material & quantity but on average:

  • 3 tons gravel requires 10 feet x 12 feet area

  • 5 tons gravel requires about 10 feet x 15 feet area

  • 10 tons sand needs around 15 feet x 20 feet area

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