Playground Mulch Calculator
Calculate Playground Mulch
Estimate safety surfacing for playground areas
$
Formula
Cubic Yards = Area (sq ft) x Required Depth (in) / 12 / 27 x 1.20 settling factor
Frequently Asked Questions
How deep should playground mulch be?
For equipment up to 7 feet: EWF and wood chips need 9 inches, rubber mulch needs 6 inches, pea gravel needs 12 inches. For 7-10 foot equipment: increase all depths by 3 inches. These meet CPSC safety standards.
What is the best playground surface material?
Engineered Wood Fiber (EWF) is the most popular due to cost-effectiveness and ADA accessibility. Rubber mulch is longer-lasting but more expensive. Pea gravel is affordable but not ADA-compliant.
How big should a playground fall zone be?
The use zone (fall zone) must extend at least 6 feet in all directions beyond the equipment. For swings, extend it even further: the fall zone extends to twice the pivot height in front and behind the swing.
You may also need
~
Pea Gravel Calculator
Free pea gravel calculator. Estimate tons or cubic yards of pea gravel needed for patios, walkways, driveways, and landscaping projects.
Everyday~
Artificial Turf Calculator
Free artificial turf calculator. Estimate how much synthetic grass, infill, base material, seam tape, and edging you need for your turf installation project.
Everyday