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Mulch Calculator

Cubic yards and bags of mulch needed for any garden area and depth.

Runs locally·Free, no signup·Updated May 6, 2026
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How it works

A walkthrough, end to end.

  1. 1

    Enter the area length and width, plus the desired mulch depth.

  2. 2

    Choose ft + in or m + cm units.

  3. 3

    See cubic yards, cubic meters, and the number of 2 cu ft (or 50 L) bags needed.

Reference

Mulch volume

Volume = area × depth. 1 cu yd = 27 cu ft. A standard mulch bag holds 2 cu ft (≈56 L).

Use cases

What you can do with this.

Spring landscape refresh

Top up beds with 2–3 inches of mulch each spring.

New garden bed

Estimate mulch for a fresh 4-inch layer.

Tree wells

Mulch a circular tree ring without piling against the trunk.

Playground surface

Engineered wood fiber depth for safety.

Vegetable garden

Light layer of straw or wood mulch for moisture retention.

Slope erosion control

Plan deeper mulch on slopes.

Bag count for delivery

Compare cost of bulk vs. bagged mulch.

Mulch 2026 — what's current

Standard landscaping math; calculator wins for instant bag count.

FAQ

Frequently asked.

  • 2–3 inches is standard for most beds; 4 inches for new beds or weed suppression.

  • Default is the US 2 cu ft bag. Adjust the bag-size field if your supplier differs.

  • Bulk (cubic yard) is cheaper for areas above ~150 sq ft.

  • No. All math runs in your browser.