Playground mulch calculator · cubic yards
Playground Surface Calculator
How much playground surface do you need? Measure the play area and pick the depth for your fall height.
1 · Material
2 · Two quick choices: depth, then size
2a · Pick a depthInstall depth: loose mulch packs down about 25%, so these are a third deeper than the CPSC settled depth. Depth by fall height
Length × width in feet. Add as many areas as you need; we add them up.
Recommended order
18 yd³
of Playground Mulch (EWF)
covers 400 sq ft at 12″ · 1 dump truck
400 sq ft × 12 in ÷ 12 ÷ 27 = 14.81 yd³. Plus 15% for settling and spreading, rounded up to a whole yd³.
3 · Get your delivered quote
One cubic yard of playground mulch
- = 27 cubic feet
- covers 27 sq ft at 12″
- weighs about 600 lb
- a full truck is about 18 yd³
About this material: Playground Mulch (EWF) →
How much does a yard of playground surface cover?
Cubic yards = area (sq ft) × depth (in) ÷ 12 ÷ 27. Tons = cubic yards × the material’s density. The calculator then adds the buffer for compaction and spreading and rounds up. Tons use our catalog densities: play sand 1.3 t/yd³.
Swipe the table sideways →
| Material | Depth | Used for | Coverage | Per 100 sq ft |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Playground Mulch (EWF) | 8″ | Toddler sets and low decks (CPSC 6″ settled). | 40 sq ft per yd³ | 2.47 yd³ |
| Playground Mulch (EWF) | 12″ | Most backyard swing sets (CPSC 9″ settled). (typical) | 27 sq ft per yd³ | 3.7 yd³ |
| Playground Mulch (EWF) | 16″ | Schools, daycares, parks (CPSC 12″ settled). | 20 sq ft per yd³ | 4.94 yd³ |
| Play Sand | 8″ | Shallow sandbox for toddlers. | 31 sq ft per ton | 3.21 tons |
| Play Sand | 12″ | Most sandboxes. (typical) | 21 sq ft per ton | 4.81 tons |
| Play Sand | 18″ | Deep play pit. | 14 sq ft per ton | 7.22 tons |
Before the buffer. Updated November 2026
How deep should playground mulch be?
Pick the depth from the highest point a child can fall from (the top platform or the swing beam). The CPSC lists the settled depth of engineered wood fiber for each fall height. Loose mulch packs down about 25%, so the calculator uses the install depth.
Swipe the table sideways →
| Fall height | Settled depth (CPSC) | Install depth | 1 yd³ covers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 6 ft | 6 in | 8 in | ~40 sq ft |
| Up to 7 ft | 9 in | 12 in | ~27 sq ft |
| Up to 12 ft | 12 in | 16 in | ~20 sq ft |
Source: CPSC Public Playground Safety Handbook, Table 2 ↗ · More on safety and certification: playground mulch.
How much playground surface for common projects
Swipe the table sideways →
| Project | Depth | Area | Estimate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Backyard swing set | 12″ | 20 × 20 ft | ~14.8 yd³ playground mulch |
| Toddler play area | 8″ | 15 × 15 ft | ~5.6 yd³ |
| School or HOA playground | 16″ | 40 × 30 ft | ~59 yd³ |
Before the buffer. Measure your own areas above for an order quantity.
Playground mulch or play sand?
Delivered by dump truck. “From” prices are per yd³ on a full truck, delivery included; the second line is the smallest load.
Playground surface mistakes to avoid
Surface too thin
A 2-inch sprinkle of mulch is decorative, not protective. 6 inches minimum for any equipment. 9–12 inches for taller structures.
Wrong material
Landscape mulch is not the same as playground EWF. EWF is engineered for impact attenuation. Substituting cheap mulch is not safe.
No edging
Without an 8-inch edge restraint the loose fill migrates out of the play zone and the depth drops below spec within months.
Forgetting drainage
EWF on top of compacted soil holds water. Lay a 4-inch crushed stone drainage base below the EWF, especially in Florida.
Skipping the top-off
EWF and sand compact 25% in the first 90 days. Plan a top-off at the 60-day mark and annually after.
Playground surface calculator questions
Need another material? All calculators →
Know how much playground surface you need? Get your delivered quote.
We’ll quote your 18 yd³ of playground mulch, delivery included.