Mulch Calculator.
Fresh beds start with the right amount. Calculate your mulch in cubic yards and bags.
Your project
Order optionsBags & extra material
Topping up? Measure the additional depth you need, allowing for mulch already in the bed.
Allowance applies to both options. Order increments and supplier minimums apply only to bulk orders. Bag counts always round up.
Compare material costsOptional
Enter quotes for the same material. All prices are in US dollars; tax and unlisted fees are excluded.
Enter a price to see its total. Add both prices to compare.
Project estimate
CUBIC YARDS — PROJECT ESTIMATE Material: Mulch Area 1: 20 × 10 ft × 3 in depth Calculated volume: 1.85 yd³ Allowance: 0% Bulk order increment: 0 yd³; supplier minimum: 0 yd³ Bulk order: 1.85 yd³ Bag equivalent: 25 bags at 2 ft³ each Price estimates exclude tax and unlisted fees. Confirm material, quantity, and delivery with your supplier. Open the calculator website to edit this estimate.
Just enough for a fresh start.
Measure each bed and enter the depth of new mulch you plan to add. If you are topping up existing mulch, use only the additional depth—not the full finished layer.
The University of Minnesota Extension suggests a 2–4 inch mulch layer, depending on the application, and advises keeping mulch clear of stems and trunks. Choose a depth suited to your plants and conditions.
A worked example.
A 12 × 9 ft bed with 3 inches of new mulch needs exactly 1 cubic yard. That is 27 cubic feet, or 14 whole bags when each bag holds 2 cubic feet.
For multiple areas, calculate each area separately and add the volumes. Keep the unrounded values until the final total.
How much does one yard cover?
| Material depth | Coverage per yd³ |
|---|---|
| 1 inch | 324 square feet |
| 2 inches | 162 square feet |
| 3 inches | 108 square feet |
| 4 inches | 81 square feet |
| 6 inches | 54 square feet |
| 12 inches | 27 square feet |
Calculated coverage before allowances, settling, or compaction.
A few good questions.
How many bags of mulch should I buy?
Check the volume printed on the bag. The calculator starts with 2 ft³ bags for mulch, but you can change this under Order options. One cubic yard needs 14 whole 2 ft³ bags or 9 whole 3 ft³ bags, before any extra allowance.
How do I compare bulk and bagged prices?
Open Compare material costs. Enter a price per cubic yard and a price per bag, then add delivery or other known fees for each option. Set the bag volume and any bulk minimum under Order options.
Are delivery and local prices included automatically?
No. Enter current quotes from your supplier. Price totals include only your entered prices and fees, and exclude tax. Check availability and the final delivered total before ordering.
A little know-how goes a long way.
How to measure your project
Rectangles, curves, and uneven depths. Turn your space into an accurate estimate.
Bulk or bags: which makes sense?
Compare the whole cost, including delivery, minimum orders, and leftover material.
What’s going in your yard?
Mulch calculator
Freshen up your beds. Find your yardage and compare bags with a bulk delivery.
Topsoil calculator
Fill a bed or level a space. Add up your areas and plan how much soil to order.
Gravel calculator
Plan a path or gravel area. Calculate volume and use supplier density to estimate weight.
Our conversions use NIST unit definitions. Results are estimates based on your measurements. Read our calculation methodology.