How to use
- Choose Imperial or Metric, and a rectangle or a round area such as a tree ring.
- Enter the length and width (or diameter) and the mulch depth.
- Read the cubic yards to order and the number of bags. Change the bag size to match the bags at your store.
Options explained
- Depth
- 2–3 in (5–8 cm) is the usual recommendation. Less lets weeds through; much more can keep roots too wet.
- Extra for settling and compaction
- Fresh mulch settles after the first rain. 10% extra keeps the layer at the depth you planned.
- Bag size
- Bagged mulch in the US is usually 2 ft³, sometimes 1.5 or 3 ft³; in metric countries 50–70 litres.
Mulch for common beds
Volumes before extra; bags are 2 ft³.
| Area | Depth | Volume | 2 ft³ bags |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 × 10 ft | 2 in | 0.62 yd³ (16.7 ft³) | 9 |
| 10 × 10 ft | 3 in | 0.93 yd³ (25 ft³) | 13 |
| 4 × 20 ft border | 3 in | 0.74 yd³ (20 ft³) | 11 |
| 10 × 20 ft | 3 in | 1.85 yd³ (50 ft³) | 26 |
| 20 × 50 ft | 3 in | 9.26 yd³ (250 ft³) | 126 |
For more than two or three cubic yards, bulk mulch from a garden centre or landscape supplier usually costs much less than bags.
Coverage of one cubic yard
| Depth | Area covered |
|---|---|
| 1 in | 324 ft² |
| 2 in | 162 ft² |
| 3 in | 108 ft² |
| 4 in | 81 ft² |
Metric examples
A 2 × 3 m bed at 5 cm is 0.30 m³, six 50-litre bags. A 4 × 5 m bed at 8 cm is 1.6 m³, 32 bags of 50 litres.
Frequently asked questions
How many bags of mulch are in a cubic yard?
A cubic yard is 27 ft³ — 13.5 bags of 2 ft³, or 9 bags of 3 ft³.
How much mulch for a 10 × 10 bed?
At 3 inches deep it is 25 ft³, about 0.93 cubic yards — 13 bags of 2 ft³. At 2 inches it is 0.62 yd³, or 9 bags.
How much area does a cubic yard of mulch cover?
About 162 ft² at 2 inches, 108 ft² at 3 inches and 81 ft² at 4 inches.
Should mulch touch the plants?
No. Keep it a few inches away from stems and tree trunks — mulch piled against bark holds moisture and invites rot and pests.
Privacy
This tool runs entirely in your browser. Your files and text are processed on your device and are never uploaded to our servers.