Mulch calculator
Enter the size of your bed and how deep you want the mulch. You'll get cubic yards for a bulk delivery and the number of bags for store-bought mulch.
- Cubic feet
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- Area (sq ft)
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- 2 cu ft bags
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- 3 cu ft bags
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How deep should mulch be?
| Where | Depth |
|---|---|
| Flower beds and annuals | 2–3 in |
| Shrubs and tree rings | 3–4 in |
| Garden paths (wood chips) | 3–4 in |
| Vegetable gardens (straw or shredded leaves) | 2–3 in |
More than about 4 inches can keep water and air from reaching roots. If there's already a layer of old mulch, measure it and only add enough to reach the depth you want.
How the math works
Multiply the area in square feet by the depth in feet to get cubic feet, then divide by 27 to get cubic yards. A 20 by 5 foot bed is 100 square feet. At 3 inches (0.25 feet) deep that's 25 cubic feet, or about 0.93 cubic yards, which is 13 bags of 2 cubic feet.
Bulk or bags?
Bags are easier for a few small beds. Once you need more than two or three cubic yards, bulk mulch from a landscape supplier is usually cheaper even with a delivery fee. Ask the supplier for their delivery minimum before you order.
Common questions
How much area does one cubic yard of mulch cover?
About 162 square feet at 2 inches deep, 108 square feet at 3 inches, and 81 square feet at 4 inches.
How much does a 2 cubic foot bag cover?
About 8 square feet at 3 inches deep, or 12 square feet at 2 inches.
Should mulch touch tree trunks?
No. Leave a few inches of bare ground around trunks and plant stems. Mulch piled against bark holds moisture there and invites rot and pests.
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