Gardening
Compost Calculator
Calculate compost needed to amend soil, top-dress lawns, or fill garden beds. Volume, weight, and cost included.
Inputs
Live estimate
Material needed
3.24 cu yd
- Area
- 500 sq ft
- Cubic feet
- 83.33
- Cubic yards
- 3.09
- Estimated tons
- 1.94
- Estimated truckloads
- 0.32
- Material cost
- $178
- Total cost
- $178
Diagram
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How it's calculated
Area is derived from your shape inputs and converted to sq ft.
Depth is converted to feet; cubic feet = area × depth.
Cubic yards = cubic feet ÷ 27, then × (1 + waste %) × (1 + compaction %).
Estimated tons = cubic yards (with waste) × 0.6.
Truckloads = cubic yards (with waste) ÷ truck capacity.
Total cost = cubic yards (with waste) × price per cubic yard + delivery.
Professional guidance
When to use compost
Amend planting beds, top-dress lawns, feed established gardens, and improve soil structure over time.
Recommended depth
¼–½ inch on lawns each spring; 2–4 inches tilled into new beds; 1–2 inches annual top-dress on gardens.
Pro tip
Buy compost by weight when possible — bulk density varies wildly between suppliers.
Common mistakes
Applying fresh (uncured) compost near seedlings — it can burn young roots. Look for dark, crumbly, earthy-smelling product.
Material assumptions
- Compost density: about 0.6 tons per cubic yard.
- Top-dress lawns at ¼–½ inch. Garden beds: 2–4 inches worked in.
- Compost shrinks 20–30% as it breaks down further.
Frequently asked questions
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These results are estimates only. Confirm quantities, compaction, waste, and delivery requirements with your supplier or project professional before ordering materials.