Calculators/ Landscaping/Mulch Calculator
Mulch Calculator
Cubic yards and bags of mulch for a bed.
Mulch Calculator
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Mulch is sold loose by the cubic yard and bagged by the cubic foot, and one cubic yard is twenty-seven cubic feet. Above about two yards, bulk delivery is usually cheaper than hauling fourteen bags at a time.
How this is calculated
- Volume = bed area × depth ÷ 12, in cubic feet. Divide by 27 for cubic yards.
- A standard bag holds 2 cubic feet, so a cubic yard is 13.5 bags. Larger 3 cubic foot bags work out at 9 per yard.
- Three inches is the usual depth for weed suppression. Two is enough around established plantings; more than four can suffocate shallow roots.
Frequently asked questions
How many bags of mulch in a cubic yard?
Thirteen and a half 2 cubic foot bags, or nine 3 cubic foot bags. Bulk delivery is usually cheaper beyond two or three yards.
How deep should mulch be?
Three inches suppresses weeds without smothering roots. Keep it pulled back a few inches from trunks and stems: mulch piled against bark holds moisture and invites rot.