Mulch Calculator
Enter the size of your garden bed and the mulch depth to see how many cubic yards or bags of mulch to buy.
How the mulch calculator works
Mulch is sold in bags (usually measured in cubic feet) and in bulk by the cubic yard. Measure the length and width of the bed in feet and choose a depth in inches. A layer of about 2 to 3 inches is commonly recommended for garden beds, but check the advice for your plants.
The calculator multiplies the three measurements to get cubic feet, adds an allowance for waste and converts to cubic yards. It also rounds up the number of bags for the bag size you enter. Common bag sizes are 2 or 3 cubic feet, so read the label on your bag. For beds that are not rectangular, split them into rectangles and add the results.
The formulas
Example: A 10 ft by 10 ft bed mulched 3 inches deep needs 25 cubic feet. With 5% waste that is 26.25 cubic feet, or 0.97 cubic yards, which is 14 bags of 2 cubic feet.
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Frequently asked questions
How much mulch do I need?
Multiply the bed length by the width and by the depth in feet to get cubic feet. Divide by 27 for cubic yards, or by the bag size for the number of bags.
How deep should mulch be?
About 2 to 3 inches is commonly recommended for garden beds. Keep mulch away from the stems and trunks of plants.
How many bags are in a cubic yard?
A cubic yard is 27 cubic feet, so it equals 13.5 bags of 2 cubic feet or 9 bags of 3 cubic feet.
Is bulk mulch cheaper than bags?
For larger areas, bulk mulch is often cheaper per cubic foot, but delivery fees apply. Enter both prices to compare.
Why add extra for waste?
Some mulch is lost to spillage and uneven ground, so a small allowance avoids a second trip.
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