Mulch Calculator: Cubic Yards and Bags
Estimate mulch for a garden bed. Enter the bed length and width in feet and the depth in inches to see cubic feet, cubic yards and bags to buy.
How to estimate mulch
- Enter the bed length and width in feet.
- Enter how deep you want the mulch, in inches.
- Read off the cubic feet, cubic yards and bag counts.
Examples
10 by 10 ft bed at 3 inches deep
L 10, W 10, depth 3 in
25 cu ft, 0.93 cu yd, 13 two-cu-ft bags, 9 three-cu-ft bags
Frequently asked questions
How deep should mulch be?
Two to three inches is the usual range. Two inches suits established beds, while three inches suppresses weeds and holds moisture better. Avoid piling it against stems.
How many cubic feet are in a cubic yard?
There are 27 cubic feet in a cubic yard. Bulk mulch is usually sold by the cubic yard, so the calculator converts your cubic feet for ordering in bulk.
Bagged or bulk mulch, which is cheaper?
Bulk is usually cheaper per cubic foot for large jobs, while bags are convenient for small beds. The calculator shows both bag counts and the cubic yards for bulk.
What size are mulch bags?
Bags commonly hold 2 or 3 cubic feet, so the tool reports both. Always check your bag's label, since sizes vary by brand and region.
Why round bags up?
Mulch is sold by the whole bag, so partial needs round up. A little extra is handy for topping up thin spots after the mulch settles.
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