AreaMapMulch calculator
Enter the size of your beds and how deep you want the mulch. The calculator gives cubic yards for bulk delivery and the number of bags if you’re buying them at the store.
How mulch is calculated
Square feet times the depth in feet (inches ÷ 12) gives cubic feet. Divide by 27 for cubic yards, or by the bag size for bags. A cubic yard is 27 ft³, or 13½ bags of 2 ft³.
Example: a 20 × 5 ft bed 3 in deep is 100 × 0.25 = 25 ft³: 0.93 cubic yards, or 13 bags of 2 ft³.
How far a yard of mulch goes
| Depth | One cubic yard covers | One 2 ft³ bag covers |
|---|---|---|
| 1 in (top-up) | 324 ft² | 24 ft² |
| 2 in | 162 ft² | 12 ft² |
| 3 in (new beds) | 108 ft² | 8 ft² |
| 4 in | 81 ft² | 6 ft² |
Beds are rarely rectangles. Trace them on a satellite map in AreaMap to get the square footage of curved borders and tree rings, then it works out the mulch for you.
Questions
How deep should mulch be?
2 to 3 in for most beds. Go up to 4 in to smother weeds, and keep it a few inches away from tree trunks and stems.
How many bags of mulch are in a yard?
13½ bags of 2 ft³, or 9 bags of 3 ft³.
How much area does a yard of mulch cover?
About 108 ft² at 3 in deep, or 162 ft² at 2 in.
Is bulk mulch cheaper than bags?
Usually, once you need more than 2 or 3 cubic yards. Check the delivery fee.