How this mulch calculator works
Mulch is the friendliest volume math on the site — by the yard in bulk, by the 2 ft³ bag at the store, and the only question is depth:
bags = ft³ ÷ 2, rounded up · 13.5 bags per yard
Worked example: mulch for a 20 × 10 bed
200 ft² at 3 in is 50 ft³ — 1.85 yd³. With 5% allowance the order is 2 yd³ (about $80 bulk) or 27 bags (about $108). One yard covers 108 ft² at this depth, and the whole load weighs only ≈ 0.8 tons.
How much does a yard of mulch cover?
| Depth | 1 yd³ covers |
|---|---|
| 1″ | 324 ft² |
| 2″ | 162 ft² |
| 3″ | 108 ft² |
| 4″ | 81 ft² |
| Unit | Covers |
|---|---|
| 2 ft³ bag | 8 ft² |
| 3 ft³ bag | 12 ft² |
| 1 yd³ bulk (13.5 bags) | 108 ft² |
Mulch FAQ
How much mulch do I need?
Bed area × depth in feet ÷ 27: the default 20 × 10 ft bed at 3 in deep is 1.85 yd³ — order 2 cubic yards with the 5% allowance, or 27 two-cubic-foot bags. Bulk runs about $80 against $108 in bags at the default prices.
How many bags of mulch are in a yard?
13.5 of the standard 2 ft³ bags equal one cubic yard (27 ÷ 2). Quick store math: divide the yards the calculator gives you by two and buy that many bags per half-yard — or just read the bag line, which rounds up for you.
How deep should mulch be?
2–3 inches on beds — enough to hold moisture and shade out weeds, not enough to suffocate roots. Go 3–4 inches only on open ground between plants, and pull it back to bare soil at trunks and stems.
How much does a yard of mulch cover?
108 ft² at 3 in deep — 162 ft² at 2 in, 81 ft² at 4 in. A single yard handles most foundation beds; the live coverage line recomputes for your depth.
Is bulk mulch cheaper than bagged?
Almost always past one yard: the default bed is $80 bulk versus $108 bagged, and the gap widens with volume. Bags win only when you need less than half a yard, want a specific dyed product, or can’t take a delivery pile.
How much does a yard of mulch weigh?
Around 400–800 lb dry depending on the wood and grind — the calculator uses 800 lb as a conservative hauling figure — and soaked mulch can double that. Two yards ride fine in a pickup by weight; volume runs out first.
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