Mulch Calculator

Measure each bed’s length, width and depth, then use the calculator. For one 20×10 ft bed at 3 inches, that’s 50 ft³ = 1.85 yd³. Set Number of areas for identical beds, or run the calculator per bed and sum. The result shows both cubic yards for bulk and bags for bagged mulch so you can compare.

Cubic yards = Length × Width × (Depth ÷ 12) × areas ÷ 27. Depth in inches is divided by 12 first. The calculator handles feet, inches, meters and yards — a 10×10 ft bed at 2 inches is 0.62 yd³, at 3 inches 0.93 yd³. Add waste after, not before.

Bags = ceil(cubic feet with waste ÷ bag size). US bags are most commonly 2 ft³ (also 1.5 and 3 ft³). One 2-ft³ bag covers ~12 sq ft at 2 inches or ~8 sq ft at 3 inches. A 1.85-yd³ bed needs 25 bags of 2 ft³ (28 with 10% waste). Use Bulk for no bags and order by yards.

Garden beds: 2–3 inches once settled. New beds: 3 inches initially to account for ~15% settling in the first weeks. Play areas: 3–4 inches, but check safety standards — deeper than 4 inches can stay too wet and suffocate roots. Don’t exceed 3 inches around tree trunks (keep a 6-inch clearance).

One cubic yard covers about 162 sq ft at 2 inches, 108 sq ft at 3 inches, 81 sq ft at 4 inches. The inverse: a 10×10 ft bed (100 sq ft) needs ~0.62 yd³ at 2 inches, ~0.93 yd³ at 3 inches. For paver borders next to beds, size the hardscape separately so mulch doesn’t mix.

Bags × bag ft³ ÷ 27 = yards. Example: 10 bags of 2 ft³ = 20 ft³ ÷ 27 = 0.74 yd³. The calculator shows both instantly. If you’re comparing a bulk quote of $35 per yard to $4.50 per bag ($60 per yard equivalent at 13.5 bags per yard), bulk wins over ~5 yards.

Bulk mulch is often $25–$45 per yard plus delivery, bags $4–$7 per 2 ft³ in 2026. A 1.85-yd³ bed at $35 per yard is ~$65; the same as 28 bags at $4.50 is $126 — bulk is nearly half for larger beds. Enter your price per bag or per yard; the calculator multiplies waste-adjusted bags or yards for a material-only total.