Mulch Calculator

How much mulch to order for a garden bed, as bulk cubic yards or bagged mulch.

–
of mulch
Area–
Volume–
Bags–

How it's calculated

cubic yards = length × width × depth (in) ÷ 12 ÷ 27

One cubic yard is 27 cubic feet, or 13 1/2 bags of 2 cu ft. Above about 2 yards, bulk delivery is usually cheaper than bags.

How deep?

UseDepth
Refreshing existing mulch1–2"
New beds, weed control2–3"
Paths and play areas3–4"

Keep mulch a few inches back from tree trunks and plant stems. Piling it against the bark holds moisture there and invites rot.

Questions

How many bags of mulch in a yard?

13 1/2 bags of 2 cubic feet, 9 bags of 3 cubic feet.