Mulch calculator
Enter the size of your beds and the depth to get cubic yards of bulk mulch or the number of 2 and 3 cubic foot bags.
Last updated: · Free tool by InsightSpatial
Private by design. This tool runs entirely in your browser. What you enter stays on your device. It is not uploaded to us or stored.
How it is calculated
Volume = area × depth × how many, plus the extra percentage. In US units: cubic yards = length (ft) × width (ft) × depth (in) ÷ 12 ÷ 27, because a foot is 12 inches and a cubic yard is 27 cubic feet.
Example: 20 ft × 5 ft × 3 in = 100 sq ft × 0.25 ft = 25.0 cubic feet, or 0.93 cubic yards , or 13 2 cu ft bags .
Bagged mulch is sold by volume, most often 2 cubic feet. One cubic yard equals 13.5 bags of 2 cu ft.
Typical depths
| Use | Depth |
|---|---|
| Garden beds | 2 to 3 in |
| Around trees and shrubs | 2 to 3 in, kept a few inches away from the trunk |
| Paths and play areas (wood chips) | 3 to 4 in or more |
| Refreshing old mulch | 1 in |
Typical values. Thicker layers can keep water and air from reaching roots.
Tips
- For a tree ring, choose Circle and enter the ring diameter.
- Bulk mulch is usually cheaper than bags above two or three cubic yards.
- Measure curved beds with Dipper Area Measure (a free app by InsightSpatial), then choose "Known area".
Questions
How many bags of mulch are in a yard?
One cubic yard is 27 cubic feet: 13.5 bags of 2 cu ft, or 9 bags of 3 cu ft.
How much area does a cubic yard of mulch cover?
At 3 inches deep, a cubic yard covers 108 square feet; at 2 inches, 162 square feet.
How deep should mulch be?
Two to three inches for most beds. Keep mulch a few inches away from tree trunks and plant stems.