Topic
Yard & driveway
Everything for outdoor projects — work out how much material to order, then follow the guide.
Calculators & tools
- Gravel CalculatorFree gravel calculator. Enter length, width and depth to get cubic yards, tons and cost for driveways, paths and patios.
- Concrete CalculatorFree concrete calculator for slabs, patios and footings. Get cubic yards, cubic feet and how many 80 lb or 60 lb bags you need.
- Paver CalculatorFree paver calculator for patios and walkways. Get the number of pavers plus base gravel and bedding sand in cubic yards.
- Mulch CalculatorFree mulch calculator. Enter bed size and depth to see cubic yards, number of 2 cu ft bags and total cost.
- Topsoil CalculatorFree topsoil calculator. Enter the bed or lawn size and depth to get cubic yards, tons, number of bags and cost.
- Sand CalculatorFree sand calculator for pavers, sandboxes and bases. Get cubic yards, tons, 50 lb bags and cost from length, width and depth.
- Fence CalculatorFree fence calculator. Enter fence length, post spacing and picket width to get posts, rails, pickets and an estimated cost.
Guides
- Best gravel for driveways: types, sizes and costsUse a 4 inch base of #3 or crusher run (angular stone that locks together), then 2 inches of #57 or 3/4 inch crushed stone on top. Avoid pea gravel on driveways — its round stones roll and rut.
- How much gravel do I need for a driveway?Multiply length x width x depth in feet, divide by 27 to get cubic yards, then multiply by 1.4 to convert to US tons. A 4-inch layer over 500 sq ft is about 6.2 cubic yards, roughly 8.6 tons.
- How much mulch do I need? (beds, paths and trees)Multiply bed length × width in feet, multiply by depth in inches ÷ 12, then divide by 27 for cubic yards. A 2–3 inch layer is right for most beds: 100 sq ft at 3 inches needs about 0.93 cubic yards, or 14 bags of 2 cu ft.
- Home maintenance checklist by season (free printable)Four short sessions a year prevent almost every expensive home failure: spring for the roof and gutters, summer for HVAC and exterior, autumn for heating and drafts, winter for pipes and detectors.