Mulch PlannerMulch Calculator: How Much Mulch Do I Need?
Enter the size of your bed and the depth you want. You get the answer in cubic yards, cubic feet and bags, plus an optional cost estimate.
How the mulch calculation works
- Area: length × width for a rectangle, π × radius² for a circle, ½ × base × height for a triangle.
- Volume in cubic feet: area (sq ft) × depth (inches) ÷ 12.
- Cubic yards: cubic feet ÷ 27 (one cubic yard is 3 ft × 3 ft × 3 ft = 27 cu ft).
- Bags: cubic feet ÷ bag size, rounded up. A standard 2 cu ft bag means 13.5 bags per cubic yard.
Example: a 20 × 10 ft bed is 200 sq ft. At 3 inches deep that is 200 × 3 ÷ 12 = 50 cu ft, or 1.85 cubic yards, or 25 bags of 2 cu ft.
Quick coverage chart
| Depth | 1 cubic yard covers | One 2 cu ft bag covers | One 3 cu ft bag covers |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 in | 324 sq ft | 24 sq ft | 36 sq ft |
| 2 in | 162 sq ft | 12 sq ft | 18 sq ft |
| 3 in | 108 sq ft | 8 sq ft | 12 sq ft |
| 4 in | 81 sq ft | 6 sq ft | 9 sq ft |
Not sure what depth to use? Read our mulch depth guide. Comparing bagged and bulk mulch? See bags vs bulk.
More guides: how much a yard of mulch covers, mulch for 100 to 1,000 sq ft and the tree ring mulch calculator.
Mulch guides
- How Many Bags of Mulch Are in a Yard?Coverage & quantities
A cubic yard of mulch is 13.5 bags of 2 cu ft, 9 bags of 3 cu ft or 18 of 1.5 cu ft. Yards-to-bags chart and how far 10, 20 or 50 bags go.
- How to Calculate How Much Mulch You NeedCoverage & quantities
Step-by-step mulch formula: square feet × inches ÷ 324 = cubic yards. Area formulas for L-shaped, curvy, oval and round beds, with a worked example.
- How Much Does a Yard of Mulch Cover?Coverage & quantities
One cubic yard of mulch covers 324 sq ft at 1 inch, 162 sq ft at 2 inches, 108 sq ft at 3 inches and 81 sq ft at 4 inches. Full chart and bags per yard.
- How Deep Should Mulch Be?Mulching basics
Experts recommend 2-4 inches of mulch. Learn the right depth for beds and trees, the 3-3-3 rule and how to avoid mulch volcanoes.
- Topsoil CalculatorCalculators · Calculator
Free topsoil calculator: enter length, width and depth to get cubic feet, cubic yards and bags of soil (0.75, 1, 1.5 or 2 cu ft), with a per-100 sq ft chart.
- Tree Ring Mulch CalculatorCalculators · Calculator
Calculate how much mulch you need around a tree: enter ring and trunk diameter to get cubic feet, yards and bags, following the 3-3-3 rule.
FAQ
How many bags of mulch are in a yard?
13.5 bags of 2 cu ft, 9 bags of 3 cu ft, or 18 bags of 1.5 cu ft. See the yards-to-bags chart.
How many bags of mulch is 4 yards?
4 yards is 108 cu ft: 54 bags of 2 cu ft or 36 bags of 3 cu ft.
How much area will 20 bags of mulch cover?
20 bags of 2 cu ft cover 240 sq ft at 2 inches deep or 160 sq ft at 3 inches.
How much mulch do I need for 200 square feet?
At 2 inches: 33.3 cu ft (1.23 yd³, 17 bags of 2 cu ft). At 3 inches: 50 cu ft (1.85 yd³, 25 bags). See the table for 100 to 1,000 sq ft.
Should I order a little extra?
Yes. Fresh mulch settles and beds are rarely perfectly flat, so many people add 5–10%. The calculator lets you set this.