How much mulch do I need?
Multiply bed area (length × width) by depth in feet. Divide by 27 for cubic yards. A 10×10 bed at 3" depth needs about 0.93 cubic yards — round up to 1.
Mulch Calculator
Mulch is ordered in cubic yards or by the bag. Measure each bed in feet, set depth (3 inches is standard for shrub beds), and we convert area × depth into yards and bag counts.
Garden beds
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Project settings
Default 3" for mulch beds
Default 10% for settling
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The cubic yard formula
Cubic yards = (length × width × depth in feet) ÷ 27. A 10×10 bed at 3 inches (0.25 ft) = 25 cu ft ≈ 0.93 cubic yards — round up to 1 yard when buying bulk.
For gravel paths or driveways, switch material type or use our dedicated gravel calculator with deeper default depths.
Depth and weed control
Two inches is minimum for weed suppression; three inches is the landscaping standard around trees and shrubs. Four inches can work for playgrounds but may hold too much moisture against plant stems.
Bags vs bulk delivery
One cubic yard = 27 cu ft. Standard 2 cu ft mulch bags need about 14 bags per yard. Small projects under half a yard are often cheaper in bags; whole-yard orders save labor on spreading.
Frequently asked questions
How deep should mulch be?
Most landscaping beds use 2–4 inches of mulch. Three inches is a common default — it suppresses weeds without smothering plant roots.
How many bags of mulch equal a cubic yard?
A cubic yard is 27 cu ft. Standard mulch bags are 2 cu ft, so about 14 bags per cubic yard. The calculator counts bags automatically.
Related calculators
Mulch Calculators · https://mulch-calculators.com/mulch-calculator/