Mulch Calculator
Enter your values below and click Calculate for instant results.
Bed Dimensions
ft
ft
in
Calculate cubic yards and bags of mulch needed for garden beds from length, width, and depth.
Enter your values below and click Calculate for instant results.
Mulch is typically sold by the bag or by the cubic yard in bulk. A standard recommendation is 2 to 4 inches of mulch depth for garden beds. Two inches suppresses most weeds and retains moisture. Three to four inches provides better insulation and weed control but costs more. This calculator converts your bed dimensions and target depth into cubic yards and bag counts.
One cubic yard of bulk mulch covers about 162 square feet at 2 inches deep, or 108 square feet at 3 inches deep. Bulk delivery is usually more cost effective than bagged mulch for any project over about 3 cubic yards (about 48 standard 2-cubic-foot bags).
Organic mulches like wood chips, bark, and straw decompose over time, adding nutrients to the soil and improving soil structure. They need to be replenished periodically. Inorganic mulches like rubber and stone do not decompose but also do not add organic matter to the soil. Wood chip mulch is generally recommended for most ornamental beds. Cedar and cypress mulch resist insects and decompose more slowly than standard hardwood mulch.