Mulch Calculator
Enter your bed size and how deep you want the mulch to see cubic yards, cubic feet, and bags to buy.
| Depth | Cubic yards | Cubic feet | 2 cu ft bags |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 in | 0.62 | 16.7 | 9 |
| 2 in | 1.23 | 33.3 | 17 |
| 3 in | 1.85 | 50.0 | 25 |
| 4 in | 2.47 | 66.7 | 34 |
How to measure a bed
Break odd shapes into rectangles, measure each, and add the areas together. For a curved bed, measure the longest and widest points and use about 80 percent of that rectangle. Measure in feet for the cleanest number.
Pick the right depth
Two to three inches suppresses weeds and holds moisture without smothering roots. Go to four inches only to refresh thin mulch or smother a stubborn bed. Going deeper wastes money and can keep water from reaching the soil.
Bags or bulk
Bags are easy to carry and store but cost more per cubic foot. Bulk delivery wins past about 3 cubic yards, though you need somewhere to dump it and a wheelbarrow to move it. Buy a little extra and save a partial bag for touch-ups.
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Questions about this calculator
How much does a bag of mulch cover?
A 2-cubic-foot bag covers about 8 square feet at 3 inches deep. A 3-cubic-foot bag covers about 12 square feet at the same depth.
How many bags of mulch are in a cubic yard?
About 13.5 bags of 2 cubic feet, or 9 bags of 3 cubic feet, make up one cubic yard.
How deep should mulch be?
Two to three inches is the sweet spot for weed control and moisture. Four inches is fine for a first layer or a refresh, but avoid piling mulch against trunks.
How do I calculate mulch for a circular bed?
Measure the radius, the distance from the center to the edge. Area is radius times radius times 3.14. Enter that area as length times width, or measure a square that contains the circle and reduce it by about 20 percent.
Should I remove old mulch first?
Not usually. Rake it to break up mats, then add a thin fresh layer. If the old mulch has built up past 4 inches total, remove some before adding more.
Is bagged or bulk mulch cheaper?
Bulk is cheaper per cubic yard, but bags are easier to handle. Compare the delivered bulk price to the bag price times the number of bags before deciding.