You wouldn’t bake a cake without setting the oven to the right temperature.

A cubic metre (1m³) is a measurement of volume, equal to a space measuring 1 metre long × 1 metre wide × 1 metre high. How much area it covers depends on the depth you spread the material. For example:

At 50mm deep, 1m³ covers approximately 20m².
At 75mm deep, 1m³ covers approximately 13.3m².
At 100mm deep, 1m³ covers approximately 10m².
At 150mm deep, 1m³ covers approximately 6.7m².

So, whether you're spreading mulch, filling garden beds or preparing an area for landscaping, the depth you need will determine how far your cubic metre goes.

We operate a range of delivery trucks to accommodate different order sizes and landscaping materials. Depending on the truck and delivery requirements, our load capacities range from approximately 1m³ to 12m³.

Whether you need a single cubic metre of garden soil for a small garden bed or a larger load of gravel, mulch or sand for a bigger project, we can help arrange a delivery to suit your requirements.

If you're ordering a larger quantity or aren't sure which truck is right for your order, speak with our team and we'll help you work out the best delivery option.

We have a range of delivery trucks to suit different order sizes and access requirements. However, it's important to check that your property can accommodate the truck delivering your order. Our trucks vary in size, with approximate dimensions ranging from:

Width:
minimum 1900mm
maximum 2400mm

Length:
minimum 4700mm
maximum 7200mm

Height:
minimum 2100mm
maximum 3000mm

When checking access, remember to allow additional clearance for mirrors, turning space, overhead branches, powerlines and other obstacles. The access road and unloading area are also important considerations. If you're unsure whether our trucks will fit, give our team a call before placing your order. We can discuss your access requirements and help determine the most suitable delivery option.

To work out how much area 1m³ will cover, divide 1 by the depth in metres. For example, if you're spreading mulch at 100mm deep: 1 ÷ 0.1 = 10m²

This means 1m³ of mulch will cover approximately 10m² at a depth of 100mm. Keep in mind that these calculations are estimates. Ground conditions, uneven surfaces, material settlement and compaction can affect the final coverage.

Absolutely! We understand that landscaping projects often require several different materials. You might need garden soil, mulch, decorative gravel, sand or road base for the same project. As your one-stop shop for landscaping supplies in Brisbane, we can help you organise multiple products and work out the most practical and cost-effective way to get everything delivered.

Depending on the materials, quantities and delivery requirements, we can discuss whether your order is best delivered together or split across multiple deliveries to suit your project schedule. Calculating quantities for several different products can sometimes be tricky, particularly when you're working with different areas and spreading depths. Give our friendly team a call and we'll help you plan your order and find the best delivery solution.

One cubic metre is equivalent to 1,000 litres of material. The number of wheelbarrows required to move 1m³ will depend on the size of your wheelbarrow and how much you load into it. As a general guide, you can expect approximately 10–15 standard wheelbarrow loads per cubic metre.

For example:
. 65-litre wheelbarrow: approximately 15–16 loads.
. 80-litre wheelbarrow: approximately 12–13 loads.
. 100-litre wheelbarrow: approximately 10 loads.

These figures assume the wheelbarrow is filled to its stated capacity. Overfilling or heaping material above the sides can change the number of loads.

Cubic metres and tonnes measure two completely different things.

- Cubic metres (m³) measure volume – how much space a material takes up.
- Tonnes (t) measure weight – how heavy a material is.

The important thing to understand is that different landscaping materials have different weights, even when they take up exactly the same amount of space. For example, 1m³ of mulch will generally weigh considerably less than 1m³ of gravel. Even different types of soil can have different weights depending on their composition and moisture content. This means there isn't one universal conversion between cubic metres and tonnes. To convert cubic metres into tonnes, you need to know the material's density (weight per cubic metre). For example, if a material has a density of 1.5 tonnes per cubic metre:

1m³ × 1.5 tonnes = 1.5 tonnes

The actual weight will vary depending on the material and its moisture content.

To help us organise the right truck and ensure a smooth delivery, please have the following information ready when placing your order:

Delivery address: Your full delivery address, including suburb and postcode.
Access restrictions: Let us know about narrow driveways, gates, low-hanging branches, overhead powerlines, steep access or tight turning areas.
Unloading location: Where you'd like your materials delivered, such as your driveway or front yard.
Products and quantities: A list of the materials and quantities you require, particularly if ordering multiple products.
Special instructions: Any site restrictions, body corporate requirements or preferred delivery times.

Our delivery trucks vary in size, so letting us know about any access limitations beforehand helps us arrange the most suitable truck for your delivery. If you're unsure whether our trucks can access your property, give our team a call on (07) 3245 5677 before placing your order.

Some landscaping suppliers sell bulk materials by the tonne, while Rock 'N' Soil and most other landscaping supply yards in Brisbane sell by the cubic metre. The difference is important because a tonne measures weight, whereas a cubic metre measures volume. These are not interchangeable measurements, and one tonne of material does not necessarily equal one cubic metre.

Different landscaping materials have different densities, meaning a tonne of mulch, soil or gravel will occupy different amounts of space. Even the same material can vary in weight depending on its moisture content. This is also why comparing prices per tonne with prices per cubic metre can be misleading. A product advertised at a lower price per tonne isn't necessarily cheaper when you account for the actual volume of material you receive. In some cases, you may need to purchase more tonnes than expected to obtain the same volume as a cubic metre-priced product. At Rock 'N' Soil, we prefer to keep things straightforward. By selling our bulk landscaping materials by the cubic metre, you can calculate how much material your project requires and have a clearer understanding of what you're paying for.

Our advice: When comparing landscaping supply prices, always check whether the advertised price is per tonne or per cubic metre. Comparing the same unit of measurement is the best way to make sure you're getting a fair comparison.

For example: Why a lower price per tonne isn't always cheaper

PRICE BY TONNE = $100
Per tonne (example only)

0.7m³ = Illustrative volume received

PRICE BY CUBIC METRE = $130
Per cubic metre (example only)

1m³ = Volume received

The $100 tonne-priced option may look cheaper initially, but you'd need approximately 1.43 tonnes to receive the equivalent of 1m³ at this illustrative density.

Important: The 0.7m³ figure is purely an illustrative example, not a conversion rate for any particular Rock 'N' Soil product or competitor. Actual density needs to be established for each material.

At Rock 'N' Soil, we sell our bulk landscaping materials by the cubic metre (m³), which measures the volume of material you're purchasing rather than its weight. This is a common way of selling bulk landscaping supplies across Brisbane and makes it easier for customers to calculate how much material they need for their project.

For example, if you're filling a garden bed, preparing an area for turf or spreading mulch, you need to know how much space the material will fill. By measuring in cubic metres, you can calculate the quantity required using the length, width and depth of your area. Another important consideration is that the weight of landscaping materials can vary depending on moisture content and natural conditions. Soil, for example, can become considerably heavier after rain, even though the volume of material remains much the same.

By selling by volume, you know you're paying for a measured quantity of material rather than a weight that can fluctuate with changing conditions. We believe this provides a more practical and transparent way for customers to order and compare landscaping supplies.

Cubic metres (m³) and square metres (m²) measure two different things. Square metres (m²) measure area. This tells you how much ground you need to cover, based on its length and width. Cubic metres (m³) measure volume. This tells you how much material you need, taking into account the area and the depth you want to spread it.

For example, if you have a garden bed that is 5 metres long and 2 metres wide, the total area is: 5m × 2m = 10m²

If you want to fill that garden bed with 100mm of soil, you also need to calculate the depth: 10m² × 0.1m = 1m³

So, for a 10m² garden bed filled to a depth of 100mm, you will need approximately 1m³ of soil.