Mulch Calculator
Landscaping · Updated July 2026
Enter your garden bed dimensions and desired depth to find how much mulch you need — in cubic yards and in standard 2 cubic foot bags.
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Results
Estimates only. Add extra for waste and confirm with your supplier.
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How much mulch do I need?
Multiply bed length × width × depth (in feet), then divide by 27 for cubic yards. One cubic yard covers about 108 sq ft at 3 inches deep.
How much mulch per bed
Two to three inches is the sweet spot — enough to suppress weeds and hold moisture without smothering roots. One cubic yard covers about 108 sq ft at 3 inches deep, and there are 13.5 standard 2-cubic-foot bags in a yard.
Bags or bulk?
For a bed or two, bagged mulch is easy to handle. Past about 6–8 bags, bulk delivery by the cubic yard is usually cheaper. Refresh mulch once a year and rake the old layer before topping up.
How to use this calculator
- 1Measure the length and width of your bed in feet.
- 2Pick a depth — 2–3 inches is standard for most beds.
- 3The calculator gives cubic yards and bag counts.
Frequently asked questions
How many bags of mulch in a yard?
There are 13.5 bags of mulch per cubic yard when using standard 2 cubic foot bags.
How many bags of mulch are in a cubic yard?
13.5 bags, using standard 2-cubic-foot bags.
How many cubic feet are in a yard of mulch?
27 cubic feet make up one cubic yard of mulch.
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