How the mulch calculator works
Mulch is sold by volume: in bags measured in cubic feet, or in bulk by the cubic yard. To find the volume you need, multiply the bed's area by the depth. Because the area is in square feet and depth is in inches, the depth is divided by 12 first. That gives cubic feet, and dividing by 27 converts to cubic yards (one yard is 3 × 3 × 3 ft).
Bag counts are rounded up, since you can't buy part of a bag. Bulk cost is shown for the exact volume; in practice a landscape supplier will round up to the nearest half or whole yard.
The formula
cubic yards = cubic feet ÷ 27
2 cu ft bags = cubic feet ÷ 2, rounded up
3 cu ft bags = cubic feet ÷ 3, rounded up
Example: a 20 × 10 ft bed at 3 inches
| Step | Result |
|---|---|
| Area (20 × 10) | 200 sq ft |
| Volume (200 × 3 ÷ 12) | 50 cu ft |
| Cubic yards (50 ÷ 27) | 1.85 cu yd |
| 2 cu ft bags (50 ÷ 2) | 25 bags |
| 3 cu ft bags (50 ÷ 3 = 16.7) | 17 bags |
| Cost in bags (25 × $4.50) | $112.50 |
| Cost in bulk (1.852 yd × $40) | $74.07 |
The defaults use typical 2026 prices: about $4.50 for a 2 cu ft bag of shredded hardwood at a big-box store, and $40 a yard for bulk hardwood mulch. Dyed and premium mulches (cedar, cypress, pine bark nuggets) often cost $40–$65 a yard in bulk and more in bags.
Quick coverage reference
| Depth | 1 cubic yard covers | One 2 cu ft bag covers |
|---|---|---|
| 1 in | 324 sq ft | 24 sq ft |
| 2 in | 162 sq ft | 12 sq ft |
| 3 in | 108 sq ft | 8 sq ft |
| 4 in | 81 sq ft | 6 sq ft |
Tips before you order
- Measure irregular beds in pieces. Break curves into rough rectangles, add the areas, and use the square-feet option. For a round bed, area = 3.14 × radius².
- Subtract what's already there. If old mulch is still an inch deep, only add the difference.
- Add a little for settling. Fresh shredded mulch compacts by roughly 10–20% in the first few weeks. Round up rather than down.
- Keep it off trunks. Pile it 2–3 inches away from tree trunks and stems to avoid rot and pests.
- Compare delivered prices. For small jobs, a delivery fee can make bulk cost more than bags.
Frequently asked questions
How many bags of mulch are in a cubic yard?
A cubic yard is 27 cubic feet, so it takes 13.5 bags of 2 cubic feet or 9 bags of 3 cubic feet to equal one yard.
How deep should mulch be?
Two to three inches is the usual recommendation for garden beds and around trees. Fine or shredded mulch can go closer to 2 inches; coarse bark nuggets can go to 3 or 4 inches. Deeper than 4 inches can starve roots of air and hold too much moisture. Keep mulch a few inches away from tree trunks and plant stems.
How much area does a cubic yard of mulch cover?
One cubic yard covers about 108 square feet at 3 inches deep, 162 square feet at 2 inches, and 324 square feet at 1 inch. Divide 324 by your depth in inches to get the coverage.
Is bulk mulch cheaper than bags?
Almost always, per yard. Bulk shredded hardwood typically runs 25 to 45 dollars a cubic yard, while 2 cubic foot bags at 4 to 7 dollars work out to roughly 55 to 95 dollars a yard. Delivery fees of 50 dollars or more can erase the saving on small jobs, so bags often win below about 2 yards unless you can haul it yourself.
How much mulch do I need to top up an existing bed?
Measure how deep the old mulch still is and only add the difference. If a bed has 1 inch left and you want 3, enter 2 inches as the depth. Refreshing a bed each year usually takes about 1 inch.
Rates and figures last checked September 2026.
This calculator gives estimates for planning. Check current rates and product labels before you buy, list or file.