Mulch Calculator
Calculate how much mulch you need for your garden beds. Get cubic yards, cubic feet, bag count, and optional cost estimate.
Cubic Yards Needed
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Cubic Feet
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Bags (2 cu ft)
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Est. Cost
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What is Mulch Calculator?
A mulch calculator tells you exactly how much mulch to buy for your garden beds or landscaping project. Enter the area and desired depth to get cubic yards, cubic feet, and the number of bags you need.
How to use
- 1 Enter the total area you want to mulch in square feet.
- 2 Enter the desired mulch depth in inches (2–4 inches is typical for garden beds).
- 3 Optionally enter the price per cubic yard to get a cost estimate.
- 4 Click Calculate to see your results.
- 5 Round up when purchasing — it's better to have a little extra than to run short.
Formula
Example calculation
A 200 sq ft garden bed at 3 inches deep needs (200 × 3) / 324 = 1.85 cubic yards, or about 5.56 cubic feet. That's 3 bags of 2 cu ft mulch.
Frequently asked questions
How deep should I apply mulch?
2–3 inches is ideal for most garden beds. Too shallow won't suppress weeds; too deep (over 4 inches) can suffocate plant roots and cause rot.
How many square feet does a bag of mulch cover?
A standard 2 cubic foot bag covers about 8 sq ft at 3 inches deep, or 12 sq ft at 2 inches deep.
What's the difference between cubic yards and cubic feet?
There are 27 cubic feet in one cubic yard. Bulk mulch is sold by the cubic yard; bagged mulch is sold by the cubic foot.
Should I buy bulk or bagged mulch?
Bulk is cheaper for large areas (over 3 cubic yards). Bags are more convenient for small projects and easier to transport in a regular vehicle.
Do I need to remove old mulch before adding new?
Not always. If old mulch is less than 2 inches deep and not matted, you can top-dress. Remove old mulch if it's compacted, moldy, or over 4 inches deep.