Mulch calculator
How much mulch do I need?
Estimate mulch volume in cubic yards or bags for garden beds and landscaping. Enter your area dimensions to get started.
Mulch calculator
Mulch calculator result
Mulch depth recommendations
- Flower beds and garden beds: 2-3 inches
- Playground areas: 6-9 inches (use engineered wood fiber)
- Walkways and paths: 3-4 inches
- Around trees: 2-3 inches, keep mulch away from trunk
One cubic yard of mulch covers about 100 square feet at 3 inches deep. A 2-cubic-foot bag covers about 8 square feet at 3 inches deep.
Worked example
For example, for a 10×5 ft garden bed, 3 inches deep:
- Area = 10 × 5 = 50 sq ft
- Volume = 50 × (3 ÷ 12) = 12.5 cu ft
- Cubic yards = 12.5 ÷ 27 = 0.46 yd³
- 2-cu-ft bags needed = 12.5 ÷ 2 = 6.25 → 7 bags
- For beds over 100 sq ft, buy bulk mulch by the cubic yard instead
Common mistakes
| Mistake | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Applying too deep | More than 3 inches prevents water from reaching roots — 2-3 inches is ideal |
| Piling mulch against tree trunks | Create a donut shape — mulch against bark causes rot and pest problems |
| Using fresh mulch near plants | Fresh mulch can rob nitrogen from soil as it decomposes — use aged mulch for beds |