Mulch Calculator

How many cubic yards, or 2 cubic foot bags, of mulch you need for flower beds, tree rings and borders. Compares bags against bulk delivery.

Mulching a garden bed to 3 inches A wheelbarrow heaped with shredded bark mulch beside a garden bed. A mulch fork carries bark to the bed and spreads it while the layer builds to the 3 inch mark on a depth stake. The mulch stops short of the tree trunk and shrub stems, and the bed sits a little below the lawn behind steel edging. 123 HARDWOOD MULCH 2 CU FT

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Mulch reference

3″ 3″ NO VOLCANO: NEVER PILE ON BARK3″ SHREDDED BARK MULCH, SETTLEDEDGING, TOP ½″ ABOVE LAWNWEED FABRIC (OPTIONAL)LOOSENED TOPSOIL, FEEDER ROOTSCL OF TRUNKROOT FLARE EXPOSED
Typical section at a tree ring and lawn edge. Depths are settled depths; fresh shredded mulch settles, so spread it slightly proud.

Depth (settled)

Flower beds
2–3 in
Shrub and tree rings
3–4 in
Paths
3–4 in
Wet or clay soil
2 in max
Clear of trunks, stems
2–3 in
Play areas (CPSC)
9–12 in

Types

Shredded hardwood
beds, slopes
Cedar or cypress
slow to break down
Pine bark nuggets
flat beds only
Pine straw
slopes, acid-lovers
Rubber
1.5–2 in, never rots

Bags vs bulk

1 cu yd
27 cu ft
2 cu ft bags per yd
13.5
3 cu ft bags per yd
9
1 cu yd at 3 in
108 sq ft
1 cu yd at 2 in
162 sq ft
Bulk usually wins
above 2–3 cu yd

Timing and refresh

Best time
mid to late spring
Also good
early fall
Hardwood top-up
≈ 1 in a year
Cedar, pine bark
every 1–2 years
Total depth
4 in max

Trees Mulch piled against the trunk keeps the bark wet and invites rot, rodents and girdling roots. Pull it back until the root flare shows.

Full notes
  • Two to three inches is the sweet spot. Thicker mulch can smother roots and hold too much water.
  • Keep mulch a couple of inches back from tree trunks and plant stems to avoid rot.
  • A cubic yard equals 13.5 bags of 2 cu ft. Bulk mulch is almost always cheaper once you need more than about 2-3 cubic yards.
  • One cubic yard covers about 108 sq ft at 3 inches deep, or 162 sq ft at 2 inches.

Planning a bigger project?

Topsoil CalculatorCubic yards, tons and bags of topsoil for a new lawn, raised bed or garden, with a bulk-versus-bag cost comparison.Gravel CalculatorCubic yards and tons of gravel for a driveway, path, drainage trench or patio base.Project: Plan a Garden BedAll the calculators for this job in order.

Common sizes

Drag to change the size
12 × 16 ft192 ft²
2 in deep1.24 yd³ · 17 × 2 cu ft bag3 in deep1.87 yd³ · 26 × 2 cu ft bag
4 × 8 ft24 × 24 ft

Drag the corner of the shape or the slider. Grid squares are 2 ft. Tap a result to load it into the calculator.