Mulch calculator
Calculate how many cubic yards or bags of mulch you need for rectangular or circular garden beds — with waste and settling allowance included.
Inputs
Bed shape
Results
Cubic yards needed
Enter your measurements to see the result
yd³
Bags needed (2 cu ft bags)
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bags
Area covered
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sq ft
Cubic feet
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cu ft
Waste / settling allowance
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yd³ (10%)
⚠ Formula: Area (sq ft) × Depth (in) ÷ 324 = cubic yards. 1 cubic yard = 27 cubic feet = 13.5 × 2 cu ft bags. Includes 10% for waste and settling. Recommended depth: 2–3 in for flower beds, 3–4 in for weed suppression, 9 in for playgrounds (CPSC — install about 12 in, it compacts). Keep mulch 2–3 inches away from plant stems and tree trunks.
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate how much mulch I need?
Multiply your area in square feet by the depth in inches, then divide by 324. This gives you cubic yards. For example, a 200 sq ft bed at 3 inches deep needs 200 × 3 ÷ 324 = 1.85 cubic yards.
How many bags of mulch do I need per cubic yard?
One cubic yard equals 27 cubic feet. A standard 2 cu ft bag gives you 13.5 bags per cubic yard. A 3 cu ft bag gives you 9 bags per cubic yard. Always round up to the nearest whole bag.
How deep should I apply mulch?
For flower beds and garden borders, 2–3 inches is ideal. For weed suppression in paths or utility areas, use 3–4 inches. For playgrounds, the CPSC recommends 9 inches of wood mulch or chips — install about 12 inches, since it compacts. Keep mulch 2–3 inches away from plant stems and tree trunks to prevent rot.
How many cubic yards of mulch do I need for 1,000 square feet?
At 2 inches deep: 1,000 × 2 ÷ 324 = 6.17 cubic yards. At 3 inches deep: 1,000 × 3 ÷ 324 = 9.26 cubic yards. Add 10% for waste and settling (6.79 and 10.19 cubic yards), so order 7 or 11 cubic yards respectively.
Should I buy mulch by the bag or in bulk?
Buy bags if you need less than 3 cubic yards — it's more convenient and no delivery fee. For larger projects, bulk mulch is significantly cheaper: bagged mulch costs $47–$81 per cubic yard while bulk typically runs $30–$45 per cubic yard plus a one-time delivery fee.