Compost: Size, Uses, and Cost Per Ton (2026)
Also called: Mushroom Compost, Garden Compost, Organic Compost
Compost at a Glance
| Size | Fine, crumbly texture when fully decomposed. |
|---|---|
| Weight per cubic yard | 1,600 to 2,200 lbs (0.80 to 1.10 tons) |
| Cubic yards per ton | 0.91 to 1.25 |
| Cost per ton | $15 to $40 per ton |
| Cost per cubic yard | $43 to $64 per cubic yard |
| 10-ton truckload | $150 to $400 before delivery |
| Compaction | Minimal (5%). Stays loose, needs edging. |
| Best for | Soil amendment, Garden beds, Lawn top-dressing, Raised bed mix |
| Wrong for | Structural fill, Drainage applications, Direct planting (too rich — must be mixed) |
Need Compost? See yards near you that stock it and ask them for a price.
Find Compost near meWhat Is Compost?
Decomposed organic matter used as a soil amendment to improve soil structure, fertility, and water retention. Quality compost is dark, crumbly, and earthy-smelling. It adds beneficial microorganisms and nutrients that support healthy plant growth and improve poor soils.
Project guide: Landscaping With Gravel: How Much to Order, Depth by Use, and Cost
How Much Compost Do I Need?
Draw your project area on the map to get an instant material estimate for Compost.
Plan your compost project
Type your address, trace the area on a satellite photo, and see how many tons to order.
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Start typing and pick your address from the list. The map jumps straight to your property.
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Enter an address in step 1. Then click around the edge of the spot you want to cover and the planner does the math.
What Yards Charge for Compost, October 2026
- Median per cubic yard
- $52
- Middle half $43 to $71. 31 prices from 13 yards.
Cheapest in Missouri, median $55 per cubic yard. Most expensive in Michigan, median $68.
| State | Median per cubic yard | Middle half | Prices |
|---|---|---|---|
| Missouri | $55 | $44 to $57 | 5 |
| Oregon | $56 | $52 to $110 | 9 |
| Michigan | $68 | $47 to $77 | 5 |
From prices yards publish on their own websites, for the compost alone, before delivery and tax. A state is listed once it has three or more prices. Updated monthly; the next update is due November 3. Gravel prices by state.
What Compost Costs in 2026
Compost costs $15 to $40 per ton, or $43 to $64 per cubic yard. A 10-ton single-axle truckload runs $150 to $400 before delivery. An 18-ton tandem load runs $270 to $720. Delivery adds $50 to $150 within 10 to 15 miles of the supplier.
| Quantity | Material cost |
|---|---|
| 1 ton | $15 to $40 |
| 1 cubic yard | $43 to $64 |
| 10-ton single-axle load | $150 to $400 |
| 18-ton tandem load | $270 to $720 |
| 100 sq ft at 3 inches deep | $14 to $48 |
Sold by the cubic yard at landscape supply yards. Mix 2-4 inches of compost into the top 6-8 inches of existing soil for best results. Many municipalities offer free or low-cost compost from yard waste programs.
Prices vary by region and order size. See the gravel cost per ton guide and the delivery cost guide.
How Much Compost for Common Projects
Tons include 5% compaction and a 10% waste allowance. Formula: cubic yards = square feet x depth in inches / 324.
| Project | Depth | Cubic yards | Tons to order | Material cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 x 20 ft patio (200 sq ft) | 2 in | 1.2 | 1.1 to 1.6 | $17 to $64 |
| 12 x 40 ft driveway (480 sq ft) | 4 in | 5.9 | 5.5 to 7.5 | $83 to $300 |
| 3 x 50 ft walkway (150 sq ft) | 3 in | 1.4 | 1.3 to 1.8 | $20 to $72 |
Different size? Use the gravel calculator or convert with the tons to yards calculator.
Compare Compost With Other Materials
Side-by-side size, cost, drainage, and best-use comparisons.
- Compost vs Pea Gravel
- Compost vs Crushed Stone
- Compost vs Crushed Limestone
- Compost vs River Rock
- Compost vs Decomposed Granite
- #57 Gravel vs Compost
- #8 Gravel vs Compost
- Compost vs Crusher Run
- #89 Stone vs Compost
- Compost vs Fill Dirt
- Compost vs Topsoil
- Brown Shredded Mulch vs Compost
- Black Shredded Mulch vs Compost
- Compost vs Rip Rap
- Compost vs Washed Gravel
- Bank Run Gravel vs Compost
- Compost vs Marble Chips
- Compost vs Lava Rock
- Compost vs Stone Dust
- #411 Gravel vs Compost
- Compost vs Construction Gravel
- Compost vs Recycled Asphalt
- Bluestone vs Compost
- Compost vs Jersey Shore Gravel
- Compost vs Mexican Beach Pebble
- #4 Stone vs Compost
Project Guides That Use Compost
Compost by City
Suppliers stock Compost in these cities:
Find Compost Near You
Share your location and the closest yards that stock compost come first, with miles and a phone number.
Every yard that stocks compost
Yards with published prices first.
198 Washington St, Stoughton, Massachusetts
Indianapolis, Indiana
14880 Brighton Rd, Brighton, Colorado
30265 SE Highway 212, Boring, Oregon
Norcross, Georgia
Heise Rd, Charlevoix, Michigan
1783 E 1500 Rd, Lawrence, Kansas
60 Schoolhouse Rd, Souderton, Pennsylvania
19001 Hull Street Rd, Moseley, Virginia
501 N Eatherton Rd, Wildwood, Missouri