CalculatorMulchWill it fit in one load?
A pickup that holds two cubic yards by volume may be over its axle rating at one and a half. Mulch is light until it is wet.
What the yard needs this month
MonthlyOne job a month, with the depth and the volume it actually needs. No plant catalogues, no upsell — just the material side of the garden.
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How this works
What a cubic yard weighs
Weight, not volume, is usually what limits a load.
| Material | Dry weight per cubic yard | Wet weight per cubic yard |
|---|---|---|
| Shredded bark mulch | 400 to 800 lb | 1,000 to 1,200 lb |
| Wood chips | 500 to 800 lb | 1,000 to 1,400 lb |
| Compost | 1,000 to 1,400 lb | 1,400 to 1,800 lb |
| Topsoil | 1,800 to 2,200 lb | 2,200 to 2,700 lb |
| Gravel | 2,400 to 2,900 lb | 2,600 to 3,000 lb |
A half-ton pickup holds about two cubic yards by volume, but two yards of wet compost can exceed its payload rating.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cubic yard of mulch weigh?
Dry shredded bark is typically 400–800 lb. Soaked, the same yard can be 1,000–1,200 lb. Compost and soil blends are heavier again, often 1,500–2,200 lb.
How much fits in a pickup?
A half-ton pickup with a standard bed holds about two cubic yards level with the sides — but check the payload rating, because two yards of wet mulch can exceed it.