Landscaping material calculators for Minnesota

Picture a cubic yard as a cube measuring 3 x 3 x 3 feet. Bulk products are purchased by cubic yard or ton, so the job is to turn the area and depth of a project into the appropriate unit. These tools calculate that for 24 materials using the weight assigned to each cubic yard. Shredded mulch comes in at about 600 lb per yard, while crusher run is 3,000 lb per yard. Both fill the same space, yet one weighs five times more, so the material selected matters when estimating tons.

Select a material

Calculation steps

Start with the project's square footage: multiply its length and width, both in feet. Convert the depth to feet by dividing inches by 12, then multiply it by the area to get cubic feet. Divide the result by 27 for cubic yards. Applying the material density to those yards gives the tonnage. The calculators follow these same steps.

An estimate can shift substantially with the selected depth. For example, a 10 x 10 patio at 2 inches takes half the stone required at 4 inches. Review the material page before choosing a depth, especially where deep frost affects the base.

See all 24 materials

The calculators use the figures in this chart. Use it to weigh material choices or to review a quote from a different yard:

Find the right material

• For a driveway or parking pad, figure the crusher run or road base below first, then the driveway gravel or #57 stone above it. Use one calculator for each layer.
• Use clean #57 or drain rock in a wet trench, French drain, or area with standing water, at 12 inches or more.
• Use shredded mulch around planted areas. For a lasting border, choose river rock instead.
• For a lawn with bare or thin spots, apply 4-6 inches of screened topsoil and follow with seed or sod.
• When building up low ground or filling a hole, place fill dirt below and reserve topsoil for only the upper 4-6 inches.
• Build a paver patio with a compacted base, followed by precisely 1 inch of bedding sand. The Paver Base and Paver Sand calculators calculate these layers separately.
• For playground fall zones, maintain pea gravel at 9 to 12 inches deep.
• For an eroding bank or shoreline, place riprap over fabric in layers of 12 inches or more.

Move from estimate to delivery

The materials listed above are offered by Minnesota Rock Supply. All orders receive free delivery anywhere in Minnesota, often within 2 business days. Start with the calculation, review the linked product page, and place your order. For help working out the quantity, call (651) 376-4294 with your measurements.

Common ordering questions