Bagged material is convenient for small areas and staged projects. Bulk can work well for larger volumes, but a delivery charge or minimum order can change the comparison.
Put both options on the same footing
Check bag volume in cubic feet. One cubic yard contains 27 cubic feet. A 2 cu ft bag covers 8 sq ft at a depth of 3 inches before adding an allowance. For a 200 sq ft bed at that depth and 10% extra, the estimate is 55 cu ft, or 28 whole bags.
Count delivery and rounding
A need of 2.04 cubic yards becomes a 2.5 cubic yard order if your supplier sells in half-yard increments. That difference belongs in the cost comparison. Enter any minimum order, delivery charge and material tax too.
What the comparison doesn’t price
Consider your time, vehicle capacity, unloading space, access restrictions and handling. Gravel sold by weight needs a supplier-provided density to compare against volume. Do not use a generic estimate to decide whether a vehicle can safely carry a load.
General guidance: adapt tasks to your local climate, plants and soil. Confirm product specifications with your supplier.