Mulch calculator
Measure your beds, pick a depth, and get the cubic yards to order or the number of bags to load in the car.
Estimates round up. Check product labels and supplier figures before ordering.
How deep should mulch be?
| Use | Depth | 1 cu yd covers |
|---|---|---|
| Flower and shrub beds | 2–3 in | 108–162 sq ft |
| Weed suppression | 3–4 in | 81–108 sq ft |
| Around trees (keep off the trunk) | 2–4 in | 81–162 sq ft |
| Paths and play areas | 3–4 in | 81–108 sq ft |
How it's calculated
Mulch is sold by volume, so the calculator turns your bed's area into cubic feet and then into cubic yards, the unit bulk suppliers use.
Cubic feet = length (ft) × width (ft) × depth (in) ÷ 12
Cubic yards = cubic feet ÷ 27
A bed 20 ft long and 10 ft wide at 3 inches deep holds 50 cubic feet, which is about 1.85 cubic yards or 25 two-cubic-foot bags.
Bulk mulch is usually cheaper once you need more than two or three yards. Bags make sense for small beds and for top-ups.
What you'll need
- Landscape fabric
- Bed edging
- Garden rake
- Wheelbarrow
Common questions
How many bags of mulch are in a yard?
A cubic yard is 27 cubic feet, so it equals 13.5 bags of 2 cubic feet or 9 bags of 3 cubic feet.
How much area does a yard of mulch cover?
At 3 inches deep, one cubic yard covers about 108 square feet. At 2 inches it covers about 162 square feet.
Should I remove old mulch first?
Not usually. If the old layer is still 1–2 inches deep, add only enough to bring the total back to 3 inches, and rake it loose first.
How much extra should I order?
Add 5–10% for uneven ground and settling. Use the extra percentage field above.