YardMulch Calculator: Yards, Bags & Cost
Use our free yard mulch calculator to estimate cubic yards, cubic feet and bags for your garden beds. This mulch coverage calculator answers “How much mulch do I need?” and the mulch bags calculator rounds your order to whole bags. Enter your area and depth, then use the mulch cost calculator to compare bagged mulch with delivered bulk costs.
01 Measure your space
Add each bed or section. Different sizes are welcome.
Extra is an ordering allowance, not a recommendation to apply a thicker layer.
Enable JavaScript for an interactive estimate. Formulas and examples are available below.
02 Compare your prices
OPTIONALReplace example prices with your store and supplier quotes.
Minimum and increment use the selected bulk pricing unit. Prices exclude tax and installation.
Take it to the store
Save a copy of your result here. It stays in this browser after you reload the page.
From flower beds to a single order
Start with the area you actually want to cover. Split an irregular bed into simple sections and add each section separately. Avoid counting overlapping areas twice. If you already know the square footage, select “Known area” instead of entering dimensions.
For a refresh, enter only the additional depth you need. Existing mulch does not disappear when you order new material. Measure it at several points before deciding how much to add.
Example: a 12 × 8 ft bed
At 3 inches deep, a 12 × 8 ft bed needs 24 cubic feet, or about 0.89 cubic yards, before any extra allowance. With 10% extra, that becomes 26.4 cubic feet: 14 bags of 2 cubic feet each.
Using illustrative prices of $4.50 per bag, the bags cost $63. A 1-yard bulk order at $45 per yard plus $40 delivery costs $85. Bulk is not automatically cheaper for a small project; enter the quotes available to you.
Choose depth before choosing quantity
The University of Maryland Extension advises a shallow 1–3 inch mulch layer around trees and shrubs, with space between mulch and the trunk. Your plants, existing layer and mulch product affect the right depth. The depths in our worked examples illustrate the calculation; they are not recommendations for every bed.
Frequently asked questions
What is mulch?
Mulch is a layer of organic or inorganic material placed over soil. It can help moderate soil temperature, slow moisture loss and reduce weeds when selected and applied appropriately.
How much mulch do I need?
Multiply the area in square feet by the depth in inches, then divide by 324 to get cubic yards. Add an ordering allowance only if you need one, or enter the measurements above for a live estimate.
How much is 1 yard of mulch?
A yard of mulch normally means one cubic yard: 27 cubic feet, or a volume 3 feet long by 3 feet wide by 3 feet high. It describes volume, not a fixed weight or price.
How do you calculate mulch in cubic yards?
Multiply the area in square feet by the depth in inches, then divide by 324. For example, 108 square feet at 3 inches deep needs 1 cubic yard before any extra allowance.
How much will 100 litres of mulch cover?
Coverage depends on depth. A 100-liter volume covers 5 square meters at 2 cm deep, 2 square meters at 5 cm deep, or 1 square meter at 10 cm deep. Divide liters by 10 times the depth in centimeters to get square meters. These are volume examples, not recommended application depths.
How many cubic feet are in a yard of mulch?
One cubic yard contains 27 cubic feet. The material’s weight can still vary because different products and moisture levels have different densities.
How many bags of mulch are in a cubic yard?
One cubic yard equals 27 cubic feet. That is 13.5 bags at 2 cubic feet per bag, so you would buy 14 whole bags. With 3-cubic-foot bags, it is exactly 9 bags.
How many square feet does 1 yard of mulch cover?
One cubic yard covers 324 square feet at 1 inch, 162 square feet at 2 inches, or 108 square feet at 3 inches. These figures exclude extra allowance.
What is mulch made of?
Organic mulch may be made from bark, wood chips, shredded wood, straw or leaves. Inorganic products include rubber or stone. Check the product label because uses, coverage and safety guidance differ.
How much does a bag or yard of mulch weigh?
There is no single reliable weight. Bag size, material, moisture and compaction all change it. Use the bag label for packaged mulch or ask the supplier for the weight of a delivered cubic yard.
Can I compare Lowe’s or Home Depot bags with a local supplier?
Yes. Enter the actual bag volume and price from any retailer, then your local supplier’s bulk quote and delivery charge. This site is independent and does not retrieve live retailer prices.
Can I use this for playground surfacing?
This is a garden quantity estimator. Playground surfacing requires product-specific safety depths and specifications; this tool does not determine or certify those requirements.
More yard calculators
Use our compost calculator for finished compost spread over a lawn or garden. Our pea gravel calculator answers “How much pea gravel do I need?” in yards, tons and bags. For a planter or garden box, use the soil calculator for a raised bed and subtract any existing fill.
About YardTotal
How the estimate works
For each rectangular area, multiply length by width, then multiply by depth in feet. A square uses side length × side length. An oval uses length × width × π ÷ 4. A circle uses π × radius². Add the volumes of all areas, then apply the extra-material percentage once.
There are 27 cubic feet in one cubic yard. Bag quantities round up to whole bags. Bulk orders round up to the increment you enter, after applying your supplier’s minimum order. Taxes, installation, pickup costs and additional fees are excluded.