Mulch calculator
Enter the size of the area and the depth you want, and this calculator tells you how much mulch to buy — in cubic yards for bulk delivery and in standard 2 cubic-foot bags. It works for wood mulch, bark, rubber mulch and compost. Bulk delivery is much cheaper per yard than bags once you need more than about 10–12 bags.
Once you need more than about 10–12 bags, bulk delivery by the cubic yard is usually far cheaper. Aim for 2–3 inches of depth in most beds.
Estimates only — round up when you order, and confirm exact quantities and conversions with your supplier.
- ›1 cubic yard = 13.5 standard bags (2 cu ft each) = ~108 sq ft at 3 inches deep
- ›Ideal depth is 2–3 inches for most beds
- ›Bulk delivery beats bags once you need ~10–12+ bags
- ›Keep mulch a few inches clear of trunks and stems to avoid rot
Doing a bigger landscaping project? Get quotes from local landscapers for delivery and spreading.
Mulch calculator — frequently asked questions
How much mulch do I need?
Multiply length × width × depth (in feet) to get cubic feet, then divide by 27 for cubic yards. At a 3-inch depth, one cubic yard covers about 108 square feet. A 200 sq ft bed at 3 inches deep needs roughly 1.85 cubic yards, or about 25 bags.
How many bags of mulch in a cubic yard?
Bagged mulch is usually sold in 2 cubic-foot bags. Since a cubic yard is 27 cubic feet, that's 13.5 bags per cubic yard. So a 3 cubic-yard order equals about 40 bags — at which point bulk delivery is almost always cheaper.
How deep should mulch be?
Two to three inches is ideal for most beds — enough to suppress weeds and hold moisture without smothering roots. Use the shallower end around shallow-rooted or delicate plants, and keep mulch a few inches away from tree trunks and stems.
How much does a yard of mulch cost?
Bulk mulch runs roughly $30–$60 per cubic yard for standard wood mulch, plus delivery; premium or dyed mulch costs more. Bagged mulch is about $3–$6 per 2 cu ft bag. The calculator gives both so you can compare bulk vs. bagged for your project.
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This calculator gives estimates for planning only. Round up when you order, and confirm exact quantities, coverage and weight conversions with your supplier — materials vary.