Calculate mulch volume for garden beds, tree rings, or landscape areas, in cubic yards and bags.
Equivalent bags
Estimated cost
Usage Tip
Bulk mulch by the yard is far cheaper than bags once you pass about ten bags; keep mulch a few inches off plant stems and trunks.
cubic yards = cubic feet ÷ 27, bags = cubic feet ÷ 2
The result shows cubic yards for bulk delivery and the equivalent bag count.
How much mulch do I need?
Multiply the bed area by the depth to get the volume, then convert to cubic yards or bags. A 300 sq ft bed at 3 in deep needs 75 cubic feet — about 2.8 cubic yards, or 25 of the 3 cubic foot bags. Because mulch is sold both bagged and in bulk, this calculator gives the cubic yards, the bag count for every common size, and the estimated cost, so you leave with the right amount.
Mulch coverage chart
How far one cubic yard of mulch spreads depends entirely on depth:
| Depth | One cubic yard covers |
|---|---|
| 1 in | 324 sq ft |
| 2 in | 162 sq ft |
| 3 in | 108 sq ft |
| 4 in | 81 sq ft |
How many bags in a cubic yard of mulch?
One cubic yard is 27 cubic feet, so the bag count depends on bag size:
| Bag size | Bags per cubic yard |
|---|---|
| 1 cu ft | 27 |
| 2 cu ft | 14 (13.5 exact) |
| 3 cu ft | 9 |
Bulk delivery is usually cheaper once you need more than about a cubic yard, or roughly 9 to 14 bags.
Best mulch depth
| Purpose | Depth |
|---|---|
| Decorative beds | 2 in |
| Weed suppression | 3 in |
| Moisture retention | 4 in |
| Playground safety | 6 in or more |
Two to three inches suits most flower beds. Going deeper than four inches can suffocate roots and invite pests.
Mulch for flower beds
For established beds, refresh with about 2 in each year — enough to restore color and suppress weeds without burying the crowns of perennials. Keep mulch a couple of inches back from plant stems.
Mulch for trees
Ring a tree with 2 to 4 in of mulch out to the drip line, but keep it off the trunk — the volcano of mulch piled against bark traps moisture and rots it. Use the tree-ring option above to size a ring from the trunk diameter and ring width.
Frequently asked questions
How many bags of mulch in a cubic yard?
27 of the 1 cubic foot bags, about 14 of the 2 cubic foot bags, or 9 of the 3 cubic foot bags.
How much mulch for a 300 sq ft bed?
About 2.8 cubic yards at 3 in deep, or roughly 25 of the 3 cubic foot bags.
How deep should mulch be?
2 in for decorative beds, 3 in for weed control, 4 in for moisture retention, and 6 in or more for playgrounds.
Is bagged or bulk mulch cheaper?
Bulk is usually cheaper per yard once you need more than about a yard. Bagged is easier for small jobs and cleaner to handle.
How long does mulch last?
Most wood mulch breaks down over one to three years; rubber and large bark nuggets last much longer.
Can mulch be too deep?
Yes. More than 4 in can hold too much moisture, starve roots of air and harbor pests. Refresh thin rather than piling on.
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Estimates are for planning. Mulch settles and bag volumes vary slightly by brand and moisture; buy a little extra for settling and topping up, and confirm bulk pricing and delivery minimums with your supplier.