Material Coverage Guide

Material Coverage Guide

Use this guide to estimate how much material your project may require. Coverage is approximate and can vary based on material size, compaction, ground conditions, and installation depth.

Mulch Coverage

Depth Coverage per Cubic Yard
1 inch Approximately 324 sq. ft.
2 inches Approximately 162 sq. ft.
3 inches Approximately 108 sq. ft.
4 inches Approximately 81 sq. ft.

For most landscape beds, we recommend installing mulch approximately 2–3 inches deep.

Topsoil Coverage

Depth Coverage per Cubic Yard
1 inch Approximately 324 sq. ft.
2 inches Approximately 162 sq. ft.
3 inches Approximately 108 sq. ft.
4 inches Approximately 81 sq. ft.
6 inches Approximately 54 sq. ft.

Actual coverage may be lower after settling or compaction.

Sand Coverage

Depth Coverage per Cubic Yard
1 inch Approximately 324 sq. ft.
2 inches Approximately 162 sq. ft.
3 inches Approximately 108 sq. ft.
4 inches Approximately 81 sq. ft.

The required depth will depend on whether the sand is being used for leveling, masonry, a paver base, or another application.

Limestone and Gravel Coverage

Stone coverage varies by size, weight, compaction, and installation depth.

Material Suggested Depth Approximate Coverage per Ton
#9 Limestone 2 inches 100–120 sq. ft.
#57 Limestone 2 inches 90–110 sq. ft.
411 Limestone 2 inches 80–100 sq. ft.
Washed Gravel 2 inches 80–100 sq. ft.

Compacted base materials may require additional material to reach the desired finished depth.

Creek Rock Coverage

Larger decorative stone generally covers less area per ton because it must be installed at a greater depth.

Material Suggested Depth Approximate Coverage per Ton
1-inch Creek Rock 2 inches 80–100 sq. ft.
1–3-inch Creek Rock 3 inches 50–65 sq. ft.
3–4-inch Creek Rock 4 inches 40–50 sq. ft.

Uneven ground, slopes, and landscape fabric can affect final coverage.

Pine Straw Coverage

One bale of pine straw generally covers approximately:

  • 35–50 sq. ft. for a fresh installation
  • A larger area when used only to refresh an existing bed

Coverage depends on how thickly the pine straw is installed and how tightly the bale is packed.

Square Straw Bale Coverage

One full-sized square straw bale generally covers approximately 500–700 sq. ft. when lightly spread over newly seeded soil.

Additional straw may be required for slopes, erosion control, or heavier coverage.

Pavers and Retaining Wall Products

Paver and retaining wall coverage varies by:

  • Manufacturer
  • Product style
  • Block or paver size
  • Pattern
  • Pallet configuration

Coverage information is listed by square footage or number of pieces per pallet for each individual product. Contact our team with the product name and project measurements for an accurate estimate.

Natural Stone Coverage

Natural stone coverage varies significantly based on stone thickness, shape, joint spacing, and installation style.

We recommend allowing an additional 10–15% for cuts, breakage, irregular shapes, and waste.

How to Measure Your Project

Measure the length and width of the project area in feet:

Length × Width = Total Square Feet

For example:

20 feet × 10 feet = 200 square feet

For irregularly shaped areas, divide the project into smaller rectangles, calculate each section, and add the totals together.

Allow for Extra Material

We generally recommend ordering approximately 5–10% extra to account for:

  • Uneven ground
  • Settling and compaction
  • Spillage
  • Measurement differences
  • Future touch-ups

These figures are intended as general estimating guidelines. Contact Eddington Materials with your project measurements and desired material for help determining the appropriate quantity.