# YardCalc — llms.txt

> Free online material calculators for yard, landscaping, and construction projects.

YardCalc provides free calculators for estimating material quantities and costs for common yard and construction projects. All calculations run in the browser — no data is collected or stored.

## Calculators

- [Gravel Calculator](https://yardcalcapp.com/gravel-calculator): Calculate cubic yards, tons, and cost of gravel for driveways, patios, and landscaping.
- [Mulch Calculator](https://yardcalcapp.com/mulch-calculator): Calculate cubic yards, bags, and cost of mulch for garden beds and landscaping.
- [Concrete Calculator](https://yardcalcapp.com/concrete-calculator): Calculate cubic yards, bags, and cost of concrete for slabs, footings, and walls.
- [Topsoil Calculator](https://yardcalcapp.com/topsoil-calculator): Calculate cubic yards, tons, and cost of topsoil for gardens, lawns, and raised beds.
- [Sand Calculator](https://yardcalcapp.com/sand-calculator): Calculate cubic yards, tons, and cost of sand for pavers, leveling, and sandboxes.
- [Paver Calculator](https://yardcalcapp.com/paver-calculator): Calculate number of pavers, sand, and gravel needed for patios and walkways.
- [Sod Calculator](https://yardcalcapp.com/sod-calculator): Calculate rolls, pallets, and cost of sod for lawn installation.
- [Retaining Wall Calculator](https://yardcalcapp.com/retaining-wall-calculator): Calculate blocks, courses, gravel backfill, and cost for retaining walls.
- [Fence Calculator](https://yardcalcapp.com/fence-calculator): Calculate posts, rails, pickets, concrete, and cost for wood fences.
- [Cubic Yards Calculator](https://yardcalcapp.com/cubic-yards-calculator): Convert between cubic yards, cubic feet, cubic meters, and other volume units.
- [Fill Dirt Calculator](https://yardcalcapp.com/fill-dirt-calculator): Calculate cubic yards, tons, and truckload estimates for fill dirt grading, leveling, and backfill projects.
- [French Drain Calculator](https://yardcalcapp.com/french-drain-calculator): Calculate drainage gravel (cubic yards and tons), landscape fabric, and perforated pipe for a French drain trench. Inputs: trench length, width, depth, and pipe diameter.

## Key Formulas

- **Bulk materials** (gravel, mulch, topsoil, sand): Length (ft) × Width (ft) × Depth (in) ÷ 324 = Cubic Yards
- **Concrete**: Length (ft) × Width (ft) × Thickness (in) ÷ 324 = Cubic Yards
- **French drain gravel**: Length (ft) × Width (ft) × Depth (ft) ÷ 27 = Cubic Yards (convert trench width and depth from inches to feet first)
- **French drain fabric width**: Trench width (ft) + (2 × Trench depth (ft)) + 2 ft overlap
- **Pavers**: Area (sq ft) ÷ Individual paver area (sq ft) × (1 + waste factor)
- **Sod**: Area (sq ft) ÷ Roll size (sq ft) × (1 + waste factor)
- **Retaining wall**: (Wall length ÷ Block length) × (Wall height ÷ Block height)
- **Fence posts**: (Fence length ÷ Post spacing) + 1

## Common Material Data

| Material | Weight per yd³ | Typical Cost per yd³ |
|----------|---------------|---------------------|
| Gravel   | ~1.35 tons    | $30–$75             |
| Mulch    | ~0.4 tons     | $25–$55             |
| Concrete | ~2.0 tons     | $115–$165           |
| Topsoil  | ~1.08 tons    | $15–$50             |
| Sand     | ~1.35 tons    | $20–$50             |
| Fill Dirt | ~1.5 tons    | $0–$20              |
| Drainage Gravel (#57) | ~1.4 tons | $35–$65 |

## French Drain Reference

A standard residential French drain trench is 12" wide × 18–24" deep. Use crushed stone #57 (angular, clean — not pea gravel or round stone). Minimum slope: 1% grade (1 inch drop per 8 feet). Always call 811 before digging.

| Trench Size | Per 50 ft | Per 100 ft |
|-------------|-----------|------------|
| 6" × 12" | 0.93 yd³ | 1.85 yd³ |
| 12" × 18" | 2.78 yd³ | 5.56 yd³ |
| 12" × 24" | 3.70 yd³ | 7.41 yd³ |
| 18" × 24" | 5.56 yd³ | 11.11 yd³ |

## About

YardCalc is a product of Meadowlark Labs LLC. Website: https://yardcalcapp.com