How these calculators work
The basic math
Every calculator turns an area and a depth into a volume. Volume is area times depth. Cubic feet divided by 27 gives cubic yards. For materials sold by weight, volume times density gives weight, and pounds divided by 2,000 gives US tons.
Units
Metric entries are converted to feet and inches internally using standard conversion factors, so the same job gives the same answer in either system. Results are shown in both.
Extra material
Each calculator adds a default allowance for waste, settling, or compaction. You can change it in the advanced options. Set it to 0 to see the raw volume.
Density and bag sizes
Densities and bag yields are typical values, and real products vary with moisture, mix, and brand. If your supplier gives you a figure, enter it. The tool shows the density it used on every result.
Testing
The calculation engine is covered by automated tests that compare outputs with hand-calculated values, including conversions, rounding of bag counts, and input validation.
Where the figures come from
Densities, bag yields, and typical depths were checked against the public sources below. They are typical values, not guarantees, and real products vary. Figures last reviewed: October 2026.
- Tennessee Department of Transportation, bulletins on computing asphalt mix quantities (tn.gov): Pounds per square yard per inch for dense-graded asphalt (106 to 110), which brackets the 145 lb per cubic foot default.
- QUIKRETE Concrete Mix data sheet (quikrete.com): Bag yields: 80 lb = 0.60, 60 lb = 0.45, 50 lb = 0.375, 40 lb = 0.30 cubic feet.
- Select Sand & Gravel, weight of crushed stone and topsoil guides (selectsg.com): Crushed stone at about 2,700 to 2,800 lb per cubic yard, crusher run up to about 3,000 lb, fill dirt at about 2,000 to 2,700 lb, and new-lawn topsoil depth.
- City of Shaker Heights, Ohio, residential asphalt and concrete driveway requirements (shakerheightsoh.gov): An example of local minimums: 4 in of concrete over a 4 in compacted base, and 2 in when recoating asphalt. Your local rules may differ.
- Paving guides from We Love Paving and TRUEGRID (welovepaving.com, truegridpaver.com): Residential asphalt driveways at 2 to 3 in of compacted asphalt over a 4 to 6 in stone base.
- LawnStarter mulch depth guide, citing Washington State University and the University of Mississippi (lawnstarter.com): About 3 in for new ornamental beds, 1 to 2 in for vegetables, and 1 to 2 in when refreshing.
- Calculator references used for cross-checks: Omni Calculator, GigaCalculator, Inch Calculator, HomeAdvisor (various): Common default densities such as 105 lb per cubic foot for gravel and about 1.35 tons per cubic yard for sand. Used only to confirm that our defaults match common practice.
- Paver estimating guides from Hunker and a paver calculator reference (Roof Observations) (hunker.com, roofobservations.com): About 5 to 10 percent extra for typical paver layouts and 10 to 15 percent or more for diagonal, herringbone, or curved layouts.
Independence
We are not affiliated with any manufacturer, supplier, or brand named on this site. Names such as QUIKRETE appear only to identify the public sources we checked.
How this site is made
This site was built with the help of AI tools. The calculation code is covered by automated tests, and the figures were checked against the public sources above. If you spot an error, please tell us at hello@tonsyardsbags.com.
What is not included
These are estimates for planning and budgeting. They do not account for irregular shapes, slopes, tapering edges, delivery rounding, structural requirements, or local building codes. Confirm quantities and specifications with your supplier or contractor before you order.