Mulch Calculator
Enter the size of your beds and how deep you want the mulch. You'll get the amount in cubic yards and in bags, and a side-by-side cost of buying bags versus a bulk delivery.
How much does a yard of mulch cover?
| Depth | 1 cubic yard covers | One 2 cu ft bag covers |
|---|---|---|
| 1 in | 324 sq ft | 24 sq ft |
| 2 in | 162 sq ft | 12 sq ft |
| 3 in | 108 sq ft | 8 sq ft |
| 4 in | 81 sq ft | 6 sq ft |
| 6 in | 54 sq ft | 4 sq ft |
Mulch for common area sizes
At 3 inches deep.
| Area | Cubic yards | 2 cu ft bags |
|---|---|---|
| 4 × 8 ft (32 sq ft) | 0.3 | 4 |
| 10 × 10 ft (100 sq ft) | 0.93 | 13 |
| 10 × 20 ft (200 sq ft) | 1.85 | 25 |
| 12 × 24 ft (288 sq ft) | 2.67 | 36 |
| 20 × 20 ft (400 sq ft) | 3.7 | 50 |
| 20 × 40 ft (800 sq ft) | 7.41 | 100 |
| 30 × 50 ft (1,500 sq ft) | 13.89 | 188 |
How deep should mulch be?
- 2–3 inches for most flower and shrub beds: enough to block weeds and hold moisture.
- 1 inch to refresh beds that already have mulch.
- 3–4 inches for paths and play areas, where it gets walked on.
- More than 4 inches can keep water and air from reaching roots. Keep mulch a few inches away from tree trunks and plant stems.
Bags or bulk?
A cubic yard is 27 cubic feet: 13.5 bags of the common 2 cubic foot size, or 9 bags of 3 cubic feet. Bags suit small jobs and tight spaces. For 3 yards or more, a bulk delivery is usually cheaper even with the delivery fee, and it saves a lot of plastic and lifting.
Planning when to plant? Find your last frost date and planting calendar by ZIP code at our sister site, My Frost Dates.
Frequently asked questions
How many bags of mulch are in a yard?
One cubic yard is 27 cubic feet, so it takes 13.5 bags of 2 cubic feet or 9 bags of 3 cubic feet to make a yard.
How much area does a yard of mulch cover?
One cubic yard covers 324 square feet at 1 inch deep, 162 square feet at 2 inches and 108 square feet at 3 inches.
How do I calculate mulch for a round bed?
Measure the bed's diameter in feet, choose "Circle" in the calculator and enter it. The area is 3.14 × radius × radius, and the calculator does that for you.