Leaf Bag Calculator
Leaf cleanup bags and tarp loads from lawn area and depth.
What it does
Fall leaves look light until bagged. A half inch across the lawn can fill a dozen bags, and a deep corner drift can double the pile.
The tool above turns area plus depth into bags. Five hundred square feet at 2 in deep is 83 ft3, or 21 bags across 6 tarp loads. The metric match is 46 m2 at 5 cm for 2.3 m3 and the same 21 bags.
Depth is the guess to get right. Sample three spots with a ruler and average them, since drifts lie and bare patches flatter the eye.
Shredding cuts the count. A mower pass chops leaves small so bags hold more and compost finishes faster, while whole wet leaves bridge and waste space.
Wet piles need care. Rain doubles weight and bursts paper, so fill lighter, double bag, and tarp the curb stack before pickup day.
How to use
- Pick imperial (sq ft, in) or metric (m2, cm).
- Enter leaf area.
- Enter even depth: 2 in or 5 cm suits a full fall.
- Read volume first.
- Read bag count next.
- Read tarp loads and stage bags by the curb.
Formula
- area
- Leaf covered lawn area.
- depth
- Even leaf depth.
Metric area converts at 10.7639 sq ft per m2 and depth at 2.54 cm per inch, with m3 shown at 0.0283168 per ft3. Bags stay 4 ft3 each way.
Worked example
Example: 500 sq ft, 2 in deep
Imperial defaults: 500 sq ft with 2 in of leaves. These are also the default values, so the page opens on this answer.
- Area: 500 sq ft.
- Depth: 2 in, so feet are 2 / 12 = 0.1667 ft.
- Volume: 500 x 0.1667 = 83 ft3 after rounding.
- Bags: ceil(83 / 4) = 21 bags.
- Tarps: ceil(21 / 4) = 6 tarp loads.
- Tool shows 83 ft3, 21 bags, 6 tarp loads (4 bags each).
Reference table
| Yard | Depth | Bags |
|---|---|---|
| 500 sq ft | 1 in | 11 bags |
| 500 sq ft | 2 in | 21 bags |
| 1000 sq ft | 2 in | 42 bags |
| 46 m2 | 5 cm | 21 bags |
Limits
- Estimate only. Tree mix and shredding shift packing.
- Bags vary. 30 gal paper near 4 ft3 is assumed.
- Wet weight needs bag rating checks.
- Pickup limits need local rules.
Common mistakes
- Eyeballing depth from the drift only.
- Raking wet piles into single ply bags.
- Skipping the mower shred pass.
- Piling at the curb before pickup day in rain.
- Mixing sticks that poke through paper.
Try it yourself
Quick checks. Answers sit tucked under each question.
1000 sq ft at 1 in?
1000 x 1 / 12 = 83 ft3. Bags are ceil(83 / 4) = 21 bags.
250 sq ft at 4 in?
250 x 4 / 12 = 83 ft3. Bags are ceil(83 / 4) = 21 bags. Tarps are ceil(21 / 4) = 6.
Questions
How many bags for 500 sq ft?
Multiply area by depth in feet, then divide by 4. Here 500 x 2/12 = 83 ft3, or 21 bags.
How big is one bag?
Each 30 gal yard bag holds about 4 ft3 of loose leaves. Mashing and wet piles shift the count.
How many tarp loads?
Divide bags by 4. Here ceil(21 / 4) = 6 tarp loads.
Mow or rake first?
Mow first with a bagger or mulch lightly, then rake the rest. Shredded leaves pack tighter and compost faster.
Does rain change it?
Yes. Wet leaves weigh far more and tear bags. Fill lighter and double bag when damp.
Does this schedule pickup?
No. Pickup rules and compost sites set the last step.