Wood Chips Calculator
A wood chips calculator turns area and depth into cubic yards: a 20 × 10 ft bed at 3 in deep needs 1.85 yd³, or about $55.56 at $30 a yard.
What your order looks like
One bulk delivery is usually easier than hauling it yourself.
1.85 yd³ · 2.0 tons
25 wheelbarrow trips (2 cu ft each)
3 pickup loads (0.75 ton each)
1 small dump truck load (6 tons each)
Rules of thumb: A wheelbarrow trip is 2 cubic feet of heavy material, about 200 lb, a load most people can push. A pickup load is 0.75 ton, the payload of a full-size half-ton pickup (1,500 lb). A small single-axle dump truck carries about 6 tons.
Wood chips calculator
A wood chips calculator multiplies the length, width and depth of the area to get cubic feet, and divides by 27 for cubic yards. A 20 × 10 ft bed covered 3 inches deep needs 20 × 10 × 0.25 = 50 cubic feet, which is 1.85 cubic yards. At $30 a yard, that is about $55.56.
Chips are sold by volume, so the answer is in cubic yards and the price is per yard.
The formula in plain words
- Cubic feet = length × width × (depth in inches ÷ 12).
- Cubic yards = cubic feet ÷ 27.
- Cost = cubic yards × price per yard.
There is no waste box. Chips spread to the depth you choose, and you can order a little extra to cover settling.
Worked examples
A garden bed, 20 × 10 ft, 3 in deep, $30 a yard:
- Cubic feet: 200 × 0.25 = 50
- Cubic yards: 50 ÷ 27 = 1.85
- Cost: 1.85 × $30 = $55.56
- Wheelbarrow loads of 6 ft³: 50 ÷ 6 = 8.3
A woodland path, 30 ft long, 4 ft wide, 4 in deep:
- Cubic feet: 120 × 0.333 = 40
- Cubic yards: 1.48
- Cost: 1.48 × $30 = $44.44
A large play or run area, 40 × 40 ft at 9 in:
- Cubic feet: 1,600 × 0.75 = 1,200
- Cubic yards: 44.44
- Cost: 44.44 × $30 = $1,333
Cubic yards by area and depth
| Area | 2 in | 3 in | 4 in | 6 in |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 sq ft | 0.62 | 0.93 | 1.23 | 1.85 |
| 200 sq ft | 1.23 | 1.85 | 2.47 | 3.70 |
| 500 sq ft | 3.09 | 4.63 | 6.17 | 9.26 |
The numbers are cubic yards. One yard covers 108 sq ft at 3 inches and 81 sq ft at 4 inches.
How to place wood chips
- Mow or clear the area, and remove weeds.
- Lay landscape fabric if you want to slow weeds. Use the landscape fabric calculator for rolls.
- Install edging to hold the chips in.
- Dump the load near the area on a tarp.
- Spread with a rake or fork to an even depth.
- Pull chips a few inches back from trunks and foundations.
A fresh layer may look deeper than you planned. It settles after rain.
Chips versus other cover
Wood chips suit large areas, paths and play areas where cost and quantity matter. They look rough compared with finer mulch. If you want a finer look for beds, the mulch calculator works the same way. For a playground surface, the playground mulch calculator handles depth for safety.
Ordering and delivery
Call two or three suppliers and ask for the price per cubic yard, the delivery fee and the minimum load. Many yards deliver in whole yards, so a 1.85 yard order may be rounded to 2 yards. Ask what the chips are made from and whether they are fresh or aged, since fresh chips can be hot in the pile and have a stronger smell.
Decide where the truck will tip before it arrives. A load dumped on a driveway or lawn needs to be moved with a wheelbarrow, and the 8 loads for the default bed take a couple of hours. Put a tarp down first so the pile does not stain the pavement.
How to measure
Measure length and width in feet. For curved beds, take the average width. For a ring around a tree, subtract the circle you want to leave open. Measure depth in inches from the surface of the soil to the top of the chips. Use a ruler and push it into a test patch.
If the area is made of several shapes, work out each and add the cubic yards.
Common mistakes
- Entering the depth in feet. The box takes inches.
- Piling chips against tree trunks, which holds moisture against the bark.
- Putting chips next to the house foundation, where they can hold moisture and give pests a home.
- Ordering for a path width and leaving out the edges.
- Ordering by a dump truck’s rated size, which can differ from the yards the supplier will actually deliver. Ask for the volume in cubic yards.
Frequently asked questions
How are wood chips different from bagged mulch?
Wood chips are usually coarser, sold by the cubic yard in bulk and cheaper per yard. Bagged mulch is shredded and sometimes dyed, and costs more per cubic foot. Bagged mulch comes in 2 cubic foot bags, so a yard is 13.5 bags. For large areas, bulk chips are the economical choice.
Are wood chips safe for a playground surface?
Playground surfaces have their own safety standards for material and depth, which depend on the height of the equipment. Use materials sold for playgrounds and follow the equipment maker's guidance and the safety rules in your area. The playground mulch calculator covers this case.
Can I get wood chips for free?
Sometimes. Tree service crews and some municipal programs give away chips. Quality varies and may include leaves, branches or diseased wood. Ask what is in the load, and avoid chips from trees you know were diseased.
How deep should a wood chip path or bed be?
Three inches is a typical bed depth, and a path often needs 3 to 4 inches. At 3 inches, 100 sq ft takes 0.93 cubic yards. Deeper layers smother plants if piled against stems or trunks, so keep chips pulled back from them.
How often do wood chips need to be replaced?
They break down over time, so expect to top up every year or two to restore the depth. Rake the surface to loosen it and add a thin layer rather than starting over.
Do wood chips take nitrogen from the soil?
Chips spread on top of the soil have little effect on plant roots. Chips mixed into the soil can tie up nitrogen while they decompose. Use them on the surface for beds and paths.
Estimates only. Verify quantities with your supplier before purchasing.