Mulch Calculator
Free mulch calculator. Enter your bed size and depth to get cubic yards, number of 2 or 3 cu ft bags, and estimated cost.
- Cubic yards
- 0.93
- Tons
- 0.28
- Cubic feet
- 25
- Area
- 100 sq ft
Bulk cost
$32
Before delivery and tax
Bagged
13 bags · $59
Advanced: material density
Default price is a typical U.S. figure ($20–$60 per cubic yard), reviewed November 2026. Prices vary by region; enter your supplier's price for an exact total.
Mulch is sold by the cubic yard in bulk and in 2 or 3 cubic foot bags at garden centers. One cubic yard of mulch fills 13.5 bags of 2 cubic feet.
Enter the size of each bed and the depth you want. For several beds, add up the square footage first, or run the calculator for each bed.
How to calculate how much mulch you need
- Measure the length and width of the area in feet.
- Decide on depth in inches (see the depth guide below).
- Multiply length × width to get square feet.
- Multiply by depth ÷ 12 to get cubic feet, then divide by 27 for cubic yards.
Cubic yards = length × width × depth (in) ÷ 12 ÷ 27. Bags = cubic feet ÷ bag size.
Recommended mulch depth
| Project | Depth |
|---|---|
| Top-up of existing mulch | 1 in |
| Flower and shrub beds | 2–3 in |
| Weed suppression | 3–4 in |
| Playground (wood chips) | 9–12 in |
How much mulch for common project sizes
Cubic yards needed before any waste allowance.
| Area | 2 in deep | 3 in deep | 4 in deep | 6 in deep |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 × 10 ft | 0.62 yd³ | 0.93 yd³ | 1.23 yd³ | 1.85 yd³ |
| 10 × 20 ft | 1.23 yd³ | 1.85 yd³ | 2.47 yd³ | 3.7 yd³ |
| 12 × 12 ft | 0.89 yd³ | 1.33 yd³ | 1.78 yd³ | 2.67 yd³ |
| 20 × 20 ft | 2.47 yd³ | 3.7 yd³ | 4.94 yd³ | 7.41 yd³ |
| 12 × 50 ft (driveway) | 3.7 yd³ | 5.56 yd³ | 7.41 yd³ | 11.11 yd³ |
| 500 sq ft | 3.09 yd³ | 4.63 yd³ | 6.17 yd³ | 9.26 yd³ |
| 1,000 sq ft | 6.17 yd³ | 9.26 yd³ | 12.35 yd³ | 18.52 yd³ |
Tips before you order
- Keep mulch 2 to 3 inches away from tree trunks and plant stems to avoid rot.
- More than 4 inches can starve roots of air.
- Refresh beds with about 1 inch each year rather than starting over.
Frequently asked questions
How many bags of mulch are in a yard?
13.5 bags of 2 cubic feet, or 9 bags of 3 cubic feet.
How much area does a yard of mulch cover?
About 108 square feet at 3 inches deep, 162 square feet at 2 inches, and 324 square feet at 1 inch.
How much does a yard of mulch cost?
Bulk mulch usually costs $20 to $60 per cubic yard before delivery, depending on type. Dyed and cedar mulches cost more than plain hardwood.