Mulch Calculator
Find how much mulch you need — enter your bed area and depth to get the cubic yards, the number of 2 cu ft bags, and an estimated cost, with a coverage breakdown.
How much mulch do I need?
Mulch is ordered by volume — cubic yards in bulk or 2 cubic-foot bags. Find the amount by multiplying your bed area in square feet by the depth in inches, then dividing by 324. The calculator above does this and converts it into bags and a cost so you can compare bulk against bagged.
cubic yards = area (sq ft) × depth (in) ÷ 324 · bags = cubic feet ÷ 2
Mulch coverage per cubic yard
| Depth | Coverage per yd³ | Bags (2 cu ft) per yd³ |
|---|---|---|
| 1 inch | 324 sq ft | 13.5 |
| 2 inches | 162 sq ft | 13.5 |
| 3 inches | 108 sq ft | 13.5 |
| 4 inches | 81 sq ft | 13.5 |
A cubic yard always equals 13.5 of the 2 cu ft bags; the depth changes the area it covers.
Two to three inches is right for most beds. For other bulk materials, see the soil calculator, the sand calculator, or the cubic yards calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How much mulch do I need?
Multiply the bed area in square feet by the depth in inches, then divide by 324 to get cubic yards. For example, 500 sq ft at 3 inches deep is 500 × 3 ÷ 324 ≈ 4.6 cubic yards. The calculator above does this and also converts it into 2 cu ft bags with a cost estimate.
How many bags of mulch are in a yard?
A cubic yard is 27 cubic feet, so it equals about 13.5 of the standard 2 cubic-foot bags. Bulk mulch by the yard is usually cheaper than bags once you need more than roughly 6–8 bags, which is where the calculator helps you compare.
How deep should mulch be?
Two to three inches is right for most beds — enough to suppress weeds and hold moisture without smothering roots. Three to four inches suits new beds or coarse mulch, while keeping it thinner and pulled back from trunks and stems avoids rot. The calculator defaults to 3 inches.
How much does a yard of mulch cover?
One cubic yard covers about 324 square feet at 1 inch deep, 162 sq ft at 2 inches, or 108 sq ft at 3 inches. Deeper mulch covers less area per yard. Enter your depth above and the calculator shows the coverage and yards for your bed.