Reference

Coverage rates

How far a cubic yard, a bag or a ton goes at a given depth. Every figure here comes from geometry or from a stated density, and the calculators use the same numbers.

Last updated

Use these tables for a quick check before you reach for a calculator, or to sanity-check a quote. All areas are before any allowance for waste or uneven ground, so add your own. Typical allowances are listed in our guide to waste factors.

Loose materials by the cubic yard

This table works for mulch, soil, compost, sand and gravel alike, because it depends only on volume.

Depth One cubic yard covers Cubic yards for 100 sq ft Cubic yards for 1,000 sq ft
½ in 648 sq ft 0.15 1.54
1 in 324 sq ft 0.31 3.09
1½ in 216 sq ft 0.46 4.63
2 in 162 sq ft 0.62 6.17
3 in 108 sq ft 0.93 9.26
4 in 81 sq ft 1.23 12.35
6 in 54 sq ft 1.85 18.52
8 in 40.5 sq ft 2.47 24.69
12 in 27 sq ft 3.70 37.04

The rule behind it: area covered = 324 ÷ depth in inches.

Loose materials by the bag

Bag size At 1 in At 2 in At 3 in At 4 in
0.5 cu ft 6 sq ft 3 sq ft 2 sq ft 1.5 sq ft
0.75 cu ft 9 sq ft 4.5 sq ft 3 sq ft 2.25 sq ft
1 cu ft 12 sq ft 6 sq ft 4 sq ft 3 sq ft
1.5 cu ft 18 sq ft 9 sq ft 6 sq ft 4.5 sq ft
2 cu ft 24 sq ft 12 sq ft 8 sq ft 6 sq ft
3 cu ft 36 sq ft 18 sq ft 12 sq ft 9 sq ft

The rule: area covered = bag size in cubic feet × 12 ÷ depth in inches.

Loose materials in metric

Depth One cubic meter covers One 50 L bag covers One 70 L bag covers
1 cm 100 m² 5 m² 7 m²
2.5 cm 40 m² 2 m² 2.8 m²
5 cm 20 m² 1 m² 1.4 m²
7.5 cm 13.3 m² 0.67 m² 0.93 m²
10 cm 10 m² 0.5 m² 0.7 m²
15 cm 6.7 m² 0.33 m² 0.47 m²
30 cm 3.3 m² 0.17 m² 0.23 m²

The rule: area in m² = volume in liters ÷ (depth in cm × 10).

Gravel and stone by the ton

Stone is sold by weight, so coverage depends on density. These figures assume 1.35 tons per cubic yard, which is typical of crushed stone. Lighter or heavier stone will cover a little more or less.

Depth One ton covers Tons for 100 sq ft
1 in 240 sq ft 0.42
2 in 120 sq ft 0.83
3 in 80 sq ft 1.25
4 in 60 sq ft 1.67
6 in 40 sq ft 2.50

For a compacted base, order about 15% more than the table suggests, because crusher run loses volume when it is packed. The gravel calculator applies that for you.

Concrete

Slab thickness One cubic yard covers One 80 lb bag covers One 60 lb bag covers
3 in 108 sq ft 2.4 sq ft 1.8 sq ft
4 in 81 sq ft 1.8 sq ft 1.35 sq ft
5 in 65 sq ft 1.44 sq ft 1.08 sq ft
6 in 54 sq ft 1.2 sq ft 0.9 sq ft

Bag yields: 80 lb makes 0.60 cu ft, 60 lb makes 0.45 cu ft, 50 lb makes 0.375 cu ft, and 40 lb makes 0.30 cu ft. It takes 45, 60, 72 and 90 bags respectively to make a cubic yard.

Pavers

Paver size Pavers per sq ft Pavers per 100 sq ft
4 × 8 in 4.5 450
6 × 6 in 4.0 400
6 × 9 in 2.67 267
8 × 8 in 2.25 225
12 × 12 in 1.0 100
16 × 16 in 0.56 56
18 × 18 in 0.44 44
24 × 24 in 0.25 25

The rule: pavers per square foot = 144 ÷ (width × length in inches). Add 5% for straight patterns, 10% for herringbone or diagonal, and 15% for curves.

Sod and seed

Sod unit Covers
Roll, 2 ft × 5 ft 10 sq ft
Roll, 18 in × 6 ft 9 sq ft
Slab, 16 in × 24 in 2.67 sq ft
Pallet 400 to 500 sq ft, by supplier
Metric roll 1 m²
Grass New lawn, lb per 1,000 sq ft Overseeding, lb per 1,000 sq ft
Kentucky bluegrass 2 to 3 1 to 1.5
Tall fescue 6 to 8 3 to 4
Perennial ryegrass 6 to 8 3 to 4
Fine fescue 4 to 5 2 to 2.5
Bermudagrass, hulled 1 to 2 0.5 to 1
Zoysiagrass 1 to 2 0.5 to 1
Centipedegrass 0.25 to 0.5 0.13 to 0.25
Bahiagrass 5 to 10 2.5 to 5

Seed rates are typical label and extension-service ranges. The rate on your own seed label takes priority.

Plants

Spacing Plants per sq ft, square grid Plants per sq ft, triangular grid
4 in 9.0 10.4
6 in 4.0 4.6
8 in 2.25 2.6
12 in 1.0 1.15
18 in 0.44 0.51
24 in 0.25 0.29
36 in 0.11 0.13

Decking and fencing

Board Coverage
Deck board 5½ in wide, ⅛ in gap 2.13 linear ft per sq ft of deck
Deck board 3½ in wide, ⅛ in gap 3.31 linear ft per sq ft of deck
Deck board 7¼ in wide, ⅛ in gap 1.63 linear ft per sq ft of deck
Fence board 5½ in wide, no gap 2.18 boards per linear ft of fence
Picket 3½ in wide, 2½ in gap 2.0 pickets per linear ft of fence
Picket 3½ in wide, 1½ in gap 2.4 pickets per linear ft of fence

Tables last reviewed October 4, 2026. See the methodology for how these figures are derived and checked.