YARDFILL GUIDES & INFORMATION

How to measure an irregular garden area.

Divide an irregular footprint into measurable sections.

Measure the area in sections

Sketch your boundary and divide it into measurable rectangles and circles. Keep units consistent and avoid double-counting overlaps.

  1. Measure each rectangle’s length and width.
  2. For circles, measure the diameter through the center.
  3. Mark planted islands and exclusions.
  4. Add included areas and subtract exclusions.
  5. Use the required fill depth for your net area.
Net area = included sections − exclusions

A 20 × 10 ft rectangle plus a 5 × 4 ft section, minus a 2 × 3 ft exclusion, gives 214 ft². The combined-area tool accepts rectangular sections. Approximate curved borders with small rectangles; verify uncertain measurements before ordering.

Try combined areas

Sources & what they cover

  • NIST SI conversion factorsNational Institute of Standards and Technology

    Exact US customary and SI conversion factors; no material or installation recommendations.

    Source checked

We check what each reference covers. A source check does not mean a specialist has reviewed this tool. You supply the depths, densities, prices and blend proportions.

Operated by Pete CallaghanUpdated Not yet independently reviewedHow we check our toolsReport a correction