Stone calculator
Landscape Edging Calculator
Measure the perimeter, get the sections and stakes. Works for steel, aluminium, poly, paver and natural stone edging.
Your project
Edging needed
80
linear feet
- Sections to buy
- 11 × 8 ft steel sections
- Stakes
- 32 (one every 2.5 ft)
- Base material
- 0.49 cu yd of screenings
- Material cost
- $210
- Installed cost range
- $440 – $840
Buy 5% extra length. Curves consume more material than the tape measure suggests, and steel edging that has been over-bent once should not be straightened and reused.
The shareable link reopens this calculator with your exact inputs.
Choosing an edging material
Steel is the professional default: a 1/8 inch × 4 inch steel edge holds a crisp line for decades, bends to curves and disappears visually. Aluminium costs more but will not rust in wet climates.
Poly edging is cheap and easy but frost-heaves out of the ground within a few winters unless it is staked heavily. Paver and natural stone edging is the most durable and the most expensive, and it doubles as a mowing strip.
Installation depth is what matters
Edging should sit with only 1/2 to 1 inch above grade — enough to hold stone or mulch, low enough to mow over. Bury the rest. Edging installed too high catches mower decks and gets kicked out of line.
Set stakes at a slight inward angle every 2.5-3 feet, and add one at every joint. On curves, tighten the spacing: the edge wants to spring back and only the stakes stop it.
Edging cost comparison
| Material | Material $/lf | Installed $/lf | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poly / plastic | $1.00-$1.50 | $4-$8 | 5-8 years |
| Steel (1/8") | $2.00-$3.50 | $6-$12 | 20+ years |
| Aluminium | $3.50-$6.00 | $8-$15 | 25+ years |
| Paver / block | $3.00-$6.00 | $10-$20 | Indefinite |
| Natural stone | $7.00-$14.00 | $18-$35 | Indefinite |
Frequently asked questions
+How much landscape edging do I need?
The bed perimeter, minus any side that runs against a wall or paving, plus 5% for curves and cuts.
+How many stakes per foot of edging?
One every 2.5-3 feet, plus one at every joint. That is roughly 8-10 stakes per 20 feet of run.
+How deep should landscape edging be set?
Deep enough that only 1/2 to 1 inch stands above grade. For 4 inch steel edging, that means a 3-3.5 inch trench.
+Is steel or plastic edging better?
Steel, by a wide margin, for anything you want to still look sharp in five years. Plastic heaves, kinks and becomes brittle with UV exposure.