Mulch Calculator — How Much Mulch Do I Need?
Calculate how many cubic yards or bags of mulch you need for your garden beds. Enter your area dimensions and desired depth to get an accurate estimate.
Assumptions
- 1 cubic yard = 27 cubic feet
- Standard mulch bag is 2 cubic feet
- Large mulch bag is 3 cubic feet
- Recommended mulch depth is 2–4 inches for most applications
- Does not account for settling — fresh mulch may settle 10–20% over time
- Area is assumed rectangular — for irregular shapes, estimate the closest rectangle
Frequently Asked Questions
How much mulch do I need for a 10×10 area?
A 10×10 foot area (100 sq ft) at the standard 3-inch depth needs about 25 cubic feet or roughly 0.93 cubic yards of mulch. That's about 13 standard 2 cu ft bags.
How deep should mulch be?
Most landscaping experts recommend 2–4 inches of mulch. Three inches is the most common depth — it's deep enough to suppress weeds and retain moisture without suffocating plant roots.
Is it cheaper to buy mulch in bulk or bags?
Bulk mulch (by the cubic yard) is usually cheaper for larger areas — typically $30–50 per cubic yard vs. $3–6 per 2 cu ft bag. For areas needing more than 2–3 cubic yards, bulk delivery is usually more economical.