Mulch Calculator
Estimate mulch for a rectangular bed in cubic yards and in bags. The default bag is 2 cubic feet.
Use it when you know the bed size and depth and need yards or bags.
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How we calculated this
Mulch volume is the bed area times the depth in feet. Bags are cubic feet divided by the bag size, rounded up. Two or three inches is a common bed depth.
What does this mean?
This bed is about 0.49 cubic yards, or 7 bags.
Your assumptions
Edit assumptions- Area
- 20.0 ft × 4.0 ft
- Depth
- 2.00 in
- Bag size
- 2.0 cu ft
This calculator provides an estimate for planning. Material yield, waste, prices, and local requirements may vary.
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How the estimate is calculated
Volume is the bed area times the depth.
Bags are cubic feet divided by the bag size, rounded up. One cubic yard is 13.5 bags of 2 cubic feet.
Mulch volume
Cubic yards = length × width × (depth ÷ 12) ÷ 27. Bags = cubic feet ÷ bag size, rounded up.
Example
- Measure the bed, not the whole yard.
- Use 2 or 3 inches of depth unless you are refreshing a thinner layer.
- Match the bag size to the product you will buy.
With the numbers filled in on this page, the estimate is 0.49 cubic yards.
What changes the result
Settling
Mulch compresses. A 2-inch finished look can take a bit more than 2 inches of new mulch.
Bag size
Bags are commonly 2 cubic feet. Bulk is sold by the yard.
Plants
The rectangle includes the space plants occupy. That usually makes a small overestimate, which is useful.
Questions
How many bags are in a yard?
A 2 cubic foot bag means 13.5 bags per cubic yard. The result rounds up.
What depth should I use?
Two to three inches is a common planning depth for beds.
Can I do more than one bed?
Run the calculator per bed and add the yards, or enter a combined rectangle if the beds match.