How Much Mulch Do I Need?
Not sure how much mulch to buy? Enter your bed's length, width, and depth and we'll tell you the cubic yards and number of bags.
Shape
Units
Area: 0.0 sq ft
Planning more than one thing? Open the Yard Planner → to trace your whole yard over an aerial photo and total every material at once.
How to measure for mulch
- Measure the length and width of your area in feet.
- Multiply them for square feet (or just enter length and width above).
- Choose a depth — we default to 3 inches for mulch.
- Read your total in cubic yards, or the number of bags.
How Much Mulch Do I Need? coverage at a glance (3" deep)
| Area (sq ft) | Cubic yards | Bags |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | 1.0 | 14 |
| 200 | 2.0 | 28 |
| 300 | 3.1 | 42 |
| 500 | 5.1 | 69 |
| 1,000 | 10.2 | 138 |
Includes a 10% overage allowance. Estimates are low-fi — confirm with your supplier.
Frequently asked questions
How do I figure out how much mulch I need?
Multiply the bed's length by its width to get square feet, then by the depth in feet. Or skip the math: enter your numbers above. One cubic yard covers about 108 sq ft at 3 inches deep.
Is it better to buy mulch in bags or bulk?
For more than about 8–10 bags, bulk by the cubic yard is usually cheaper and means less hauling. Bags win for small touch-ups.