Contractor & trades · free calculator
Mulch calculator (cubic yards + bags)
Convert bed dimensions and target mulch depth into cubic yards, bag count, and estimated bagged-mulch cost.
Mulch needed
33 bags at 2 cu ft each
Show the work
- Area240 sqft
- Raw cubic feet60.0 cu ft
- Raw cubic yards2.22 CY
- With waste66.0 cu ft
- Estimated bag cost$140.25
Mulch volume is just area × depth
Mulch math looks messy because stores sell it in bags, landscape yards sell it in cubic yards, and beds are measured in square feet. The conversion underneath is simple:
- Cubic feet = area in square feet × depth in feet
- Cubic yards = cubic feet ÷ 27
- Bag count = cubic feet needed ÷ bag size, rounded up
Useful mulch rules of thumb
- 2 inches deep covers more area but mainly refreshes existing beds
- 3 inches deep is the normal "do it once" depth for weed suppression
- 1 cubic yard covers about 108 sqft at 3 inches deep
- 1 cubic yard covers about 162 sqft at 2 inches deep
Bag vs bulk crossover
Bagged mulch is convenient for small jobs because you can carry it yourself and avoid delivery charges. Once you need multiple cubic yards, bulk delivery is usually cheaper and dramatically faster to spread. Use this page to estimate the bagged equivalent even if you plan to order in bulk.
Don't bury the plants
Keep mulch pulled back a few inches from trunks, stems, and the crowns of shrubs. The "mulch volcano" look traps moisture against bark, attracts pests, and can kill healthy landscape plants over time.
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