Mulch Calculator
Buying mulch by the bag or the yard? Enter your bed’s area and desired depth to get the volume in cubic yards and the number of bags — so you order once and finish the job.
Mulch Calculator
Why use the Mulch Calculator
Order by the bag when you needed a yard and you’ll make three trips. This gets the amount right the first time.
How to get your numbers
- Bed length & width, or a total square footage.
- Depth: 2–3 inches is typical.
- Odd beds: split into rectangles and add them up.
Recommended for this job
How to use it
- Enter the bed length and width, or type a total area.
- Enter the depth you want — 2–3 inches is typical.
- Order by the yard for large beds; bags suit small touch-ups.
Frequently asked questions
How much mulch do I need?
Multiply the area (sq ft) by the depth in feet (inches ÷ 12) for cubic feet, then divide by 27 for cubic yards.
How deep should mulch be?
Two to three inches suppresses weeds and holds moisture. Deeper than that can suffocate roots and repel water.
How many bags of mulch are in a cubic yard?
A cubic yard is 27 cubic feet — about 13–14 bags of 2 cubic feet each, or 9 bags of 3 cubic feet.
When is the best time to mulch?
Mid-to-late spring once the soil warms, and again in fall to insulate roots. Avoid mulching cold, wet soil in early spring.
What type of mulch should I use?
Shredded hardwood and bark are all-purpose and long-lasting; straw suits vegetable beds; wood chips suit paths and shrubs.
How many bags of mulch for 100 square feet?
At 3 inches deep that is about 25 cubic feet — roughly 13 bags of 2 cubic feet. Enter your exact area and depth above.
Can you put down too much mulch?
Yes — piling it deep or against stems and trunks (“mulch volcanoes”) traps moisture, invites rot, and can kill plants.
