Buying
Bulk Gravel vs Bagged Gravel: Which Is Cheaper?
For anything bigger than a small garden bed, bulk gravel is almost always cheaper than bagged — often by 2–4× per unit. Here's the cost comparison, the break-even point, and when bags still make sense.
The cost difference
Bagged gravel is convenient but you pay for the packaging, handling and store markup. Bulk gravel is sold loose by the tonne or cubic yard at a landscape-supply yard or quarry.
| Format | Typical price (CAD) | Effective cost per yd³ |
|---|---|---|
| Bagged, 0.5 ft³ bag | $5 – $9 per bag | ≈ $270 – $490 / yd³ |
| Bagged, 30 kg bag | $6 – $10 per bag | ≈ $200 – $350 / yd³ |
| Bulk, picked up | $20 – $70 per yd³ | $20 – $70 / yd³ |
| Bulk, delivered | $40 – $100 per yd³ | $40 – $100 / yd³ |
It takes about 40 bags of 0.5 ft³ to make a single cubic yard (27 ft³). That's why bags add up fast.
The break-even point
Bulk usually wins once your project reaches about 1 cubic yard (roughly 1.2 tonnes). Below that, the delivery fee or minimum order on bulk can make bags competitive — especially if you only need a bag or two and can carry them home.
As a rule of thumb:
- Under ~½ yard: bags are convenient and often fine.
- ½ to 1 yard: compare the bulk delivery minimum against the bag count.
- Over 1 yard: buy bulk — the savings are large.
When bagged gravel still makes sense
- Small or one-off jobs (a planter, a drainage patch, a few pavers).
- No way to receive a bulk delivery or store a loose pile.
- You need a clean, specific decorative stone in a small amount.
- Access is tight and you'd be barrowing anyway.
To see how many bags your project needs — and the bulk equivalent — use the Bulk & Bagged Gravel Calculator, or read how many bags of gravel do I need.
Frequently asked questions
Is bulk gravel cheaper than bagged?
Yes, usually much cheaper. Bagged gravel can work out to $200–$490 per cubic yard, while bulk gravel is often $20–$100 per cubic yard. Bulk wins for any project over about one cubic yard.
How many bags of gravel make a cubic yard?
About 40 bags of 0.5 ft³, or 20 bags of 1 ft³, since a cubic yard is 27 cubic feet. By weight, roughly 40–45 bags of 30 kg gravel equal one cubic yard.
When should I buy bagged gravel instead of bulk?
For small jobs under about half a cubic yard, when you can't take a bulk delivery, or when you need a small amount of a specific decorative stone. Otherwise bulk is cheaper.
Is bulk gravel worth the delivery fee?
For projects over roughly one cubic yard, yes — the per-unit savings on bulk usually more than cover delivery. For very small jobs, the delivery minimum can make bags competitive.
Disclaimer: This guide gives general estimates for planning. Actual gravel quantities, weights and prices vary with material type, particle size, moisture, compaction, supplier and your province. Costs are material-only ballparks in Canadian dollars and exclude labour, delivery and taxes unless stated. Always confirm quantities and prices with your local supplier.