How much mulch do I need?
Mulch covers garden beds, tree rings, and borders to hold moisture, slow weeds, and give planting areas a finished look.
Enter the length, width, and depth of your area above. The calculator shows cubic yards, cubic feet, an estimated weight in tons, and the number of 2 cubic foot bags if you buy bagged mulch. Add a price per cubic yard and it also estimates the cost.
Cubic yard calculator for mulch
This cubic yard calculator for mulch works for any shape. Pick rectangle for most beds and slabs, circle for round areas, or trench for narrow runs. Open the price estimator under the calculator to add your supplier price, delivery fee, and tax. For a full cost breakdown, see the mulch cost calculator.
Mulch weight and bags per cubic yard
A planning value for mulch is 700 pounds per cubic yard, which is 0.35 US tons. Moisture, particle size, and compaction move that number, so treat it as a starting point.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Pounds per cubic yard | 700 |
| US tons per cubic yard | 0.35 |
| Kilograms per cubic yard | 318 |
| Cubic yards per US ton | 2.86 |
| Cubic feet per US ton | 77.14 |
| 2 cubic foot bags per cubic yard | 13.5 |
How far does a cubic yard of mulch go?
Coverage depends only on depth. The deeper the layer, the less area a cubic yard covers. The suggested depth for mulch is 2 to 4 inches, and 3 inches is a common choice.
| Depth (inches) | Square feet covered | Square yards covered |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 324 | 36.0 |
| 2 | 162 | 18.0 |
| 3 | 108 | 12.0 |
| 4 | 81 | 9.0 |
| 6 | 54 | 6.0 |
| 8 | 40 | 4.5 |
| 12 | 27 | 3.0 |
Mulch needed for common areas at 3 inches deep
| Area | Square feet | Cubic yards | US tons | 2 cubic foot bags |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 by 5 ft | 25 | 0.23 | 0.08 | 4 |
| 8 by 10 ft | 80 | 0.74 | 0.26 | 10 |
| 10 by 10 ft | 100 | 0.93 | 0.32 | 13 |
| 10 by 20 ft | 200 | 1.85 | 0.65 | 25 |
| 12 by 12 ft | 144 | 1.33 | 0.47 | 18 |
| 15 by 20 ft | 300 | 2.78 | 0.97 | 38 |
| 20 by 20 ft | 400 | 3.70 | 1.30 | 50 |
| 20 by 30 ft | 600 | 5.56 | 1.94 | 75 |
| 30 by 40 ft | 1,200 | 11.11 | 3.89 | 150 |
| 50 by 50 ft | 2,500 | 23.15 | 8.10 | 313 |
Worked example: 20 by 10 feet at 3 inches
The area is 20 feet times 10 feet, or 200 square feet. A depth of 3 inches is 0.25 feet. Volume is 200 times 0.25, which is 50.00 cubic feet. Divide by 27 to get 1.85 cubic yards. At 700 pounds per cubic yard that weighs about 0.65 US tons. With 10 percent extra, order 2.04 cubic yards.
Tips for ordering mulch
- Keep mulch a few inches back from tree trunks and plant stems so the bark stays dry.
- Top up beds with 1 to 2 inches each spring instead of piling on a new thick layer.
- Bulk mulch usually costs less than bags once a project passes about 3 cubic yards.
Mulch settles and breaks down through the season, so many people order about 10 percent extra.
Frequently asked questions
How many cubic yards of mulch do I need?
Multiply length, width, and depth in feet, then divide by 27. A 20 by 10 foot area at 3 inches deep needs about 1.85 cubic yards.
How much does a cubic yard of mulch weigh?
About 700 pounds, or 0.35 US tons, as a planning value. Ask your supplier for the exact figure.
How deep should mulch be?
Most projects use 2 to 4 inches. 3 inches is a common choice.
How many square feet does a cubic yard of mulch cover?
108 square feet at 3 inches deep, and 324 square feet at 1 inch.
How many bags of mulch make a cubic yard?
About 14 bags of the 2 cubic foot size, which yields about 2 cubic feet each.