Wood Chips Calculator
Calculate cubic yards of wood chips needed for a path, play area, or mulched bed at your depth, plus total cost at your price per yard.
How this calculator works
Wood chips are sold in bulk by the cubic yard rather than by weight or bag count, so this calculator simply converts your area and depth into cubic yards — no material density is applied, since chips are priced and delivered purely by volume.
Formula: Cubic yards = (Length ft × Width ft × Depth ft) ÷ 27.
Worked example
A 20 ft × 10 ft path or bed at a 3-inch depth:
- Depth in feet: 3 ÷ 12 = 0.25 ft
- Cubic yards: (20 × 10 × 0.25) ÷ 27 ≈ 1.85 yd³
- At $30/yd³, that’s $55.56.
Coverage reference
| Area | Depth | Cubic yards |
|---|---|---|
| 10 ft × 10 ft | 3 in | ~0.93 yd³ |
| 20 ft × 10 ft | 3 in | ~1.85 yd³ |
| 30 ft × 20 ft | 4 in | ~7.41 yd³ |
How to measure your area
Measure the length and width of the path, bed, or play area in feet, and use 3-4 inches as a typical mulching depth unless you’re building a deeper play-area cushion. For winding paths, break the route into straight segments, measure each, and add the cubic yardages together.
Frequently asked questions
How is wood chips different from bagged mulch?
Wood chips are typically coarser, less processed, and sold in bulk by the cubic yard rather than in small bags. Bagged mulch is usually screened to a more uniform size and dyed or aged for a consistent decorative look, while wood chips are closer to raw ground-up branches and trunk material.
Are wood chips safe for a playground surface?
Only certified engineered wood fiber (EWF) meeting ASTM F1292 fall-height standards should be used under play equipment. Raw arborist wood chips are fine for paths and general ground cover, but aren't tested or rated for impact absorption the way playground-specific wood fiber is.
Can I get wood chips for free?
Often, yes — local tree services and arborists frequently give away fresh chips to avoid dump fees, sometimes through services that connect homeowners with nearby crews. Free chips are usually unscreened and mixed species, which is fine for paths and mulching but less predictable in appearance than purchased chips.
How deep should a wood chip path or bed be?
3-4 inches is standard for both mulched garden beds and walking paths. Play areas or high-traffic paths sometimes go deeper, 4-6 inches, since chips compress and displace faster under regular foot traffic.
How often do wood chips need to be replaced?
Expect to top off a wood chip layer every 1-2 years as the chips break down and compost into the ground. Coarser, less processed chips typically last a bit longer than fine bagged mulch before needing a refresh.
Do fresh wood chips rob nitrogen from the soil?
Only at the soil surface where they directly contact it, and only temporarily as microbes break down the woody material. Used as a top-dressing mulch rather than tilled into planting soil, fresh wood chips don't meaningfully affect nutrient availability to plant roots.
Estimates only. Verify quantities with your supplier before purchasing.