Mulch Calculator — How Much Mulch Do I Need?
Calculate exactly how many cubic yards or bags of mulch you need for any garden bed or landscaping project.
Area Preview
Your Results
0.74
Cubic Yards
20.0
Cubic Feet
10
Bags (2 cu ft)
7
Bags (3 cu ft)
* Add 5–10% for uneven ground and edge loss.
Result Breakdown
Coverage at Different Depths — 80 sq ft area
| Depth | Cu Yards | 2 cu ft Bags | 3 cu ft Bags |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 inch | 0.25 | 4 | 3 |
| 2 inches | 0.49 | 7 | 5 |
| 3 inches | 0.74 | 10 | 7 |
| 4 inches | 0.99 | 14 | 9 |
| 5 inches | 1.23 | 17 | 12 |
| 6 inches | 1.48 | 20 | 14 |
Formula
Worked Example
Frequently Asked Questions
How much mulch do I need for a 10×10 garden bed?
For a 10×10 ft bed at 3 inches deep, you need approximately 0.93 cubic yards or 25 cubic feet of mulch — about 13 bags (2 cu ft each) or 9 bags (3 cu ft each).
How deep should mulch be?
The recommended mulch depth is 2–4 inches. Less than 2 inches won't suppress weeds effectively; more than 4 inches can prevent water from reaching roots and may harbor pests.
How many bags of mulch equal a cubic yard?
One cubic yard equals 27 cubic feet. A 2 cu ft bag fills 1/13.5 of a yard, so you need about 13–14 two-cubic-foot bags per yard. With 3 cu ft bags, you need about 9 bags per yard.
What is the formula for calculating mulch?
Cubic yards = (Length ft × Width ft × Depth in) ÷ 324. For example: 10 × 10 × 3 ÷ 324 = 0.93 cubic yards. The 324 comes from 12 inches per foot × 27 cubic feet per cubic yard.
Does this calculator include any extra for spillage or settling?
No — this calculator gives the exact volume needed. For large projects we recommend adding 5–10% to account for uneven ground, settling, and edge loss.