Bed plus tree ring
Input
A 20 × 4 ft bed and a 6 ft circle, 3 in deep
Expected result
108.27 sq ft, 27.069 ft³ = 1.003 yd³; 14 bags of 2 cu ft or 10 bags of 3 cu ft
Calculators
Mulch Calculator
Work out how much mulch your garden beds need in cubic yards and 2 or 3 cu ft bags, and compare bagged with bulk prices.
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About this tool
The Mulch Calculator works out how much mulch to buy for one or more garden beds. Add each bed as a rectangle (length × width) or a circle (diameter) in feet and set the depth in inches; it totals the bed area, converts it to cubic feet and cubic yards, and counts the 2 cu ft and 3 cu ft bags needed, rounded up to whole bags. The depth starts at 3 inches. Common guidance is 2 to 4 inches, and the tool notes when your depth falls outside that range; if old mulch is still in place, enter only the depth you are adding. To decide how to buy, enter a price per 2 cu ft bag, per 3 cu ft bag and per cubic yard of bulk mulch, and it shows the cost of each and which is cheapest. Bulk costs use the exact volume and leave out delivery fees and minimum orders. The calculator runs in your browser.
Why use it
Adds several beds, rectangles and circles, in one list.
Counts both common bag sizes, rounded up to whole bags.
Compares bagged and bulk prices side by side and names the cheapest.
Notes when your depth is outside the common 2 to 4 inch guidance.
Free and private: it runs in your browser.
How to use
- Add each bed: pick Rectangle and enter the length and width, or Circle and enter the diameter, in feet.
- Use Add bed for more beds, and split curved or L-shaped beds into a few rectangles.
- Set the mulch depth in inches; it starts at 3.
- Read the cubic yards, cubic feet and number of 2 and 3 cu ft bags.
- Optionally enter bag and bulk prices to see which way of buying costs less.
When it helps
- Topping up mulch in existing beds in spring.
- Planning a new flower bed, shrub border or tree ring.
- Deciding between bagged mulch from a garden center and a bulk delivery.
- Estimating materials for a landscaping quote.
Examples
Bagged vs bulk
Input
Same beds at 4.50 per 2 cu ft bag, 6 per 3 cu ft bag, 35 per cubic yard
Expected result
63.00 vs 60.00 vs 35.09: bulk is cheapest by 24.91
Thin top-up
Input
Same beds, 2 in deep
Expected result
0.6684 yd³; 10 bags of 2 cu ft or 7 bags of 3 cu ft
Tips
- Keep mulch pulled back from tree trunks and plant stems rather than piled against them.
- A cubic yard is 27 cubic feet, the same as 13.5 bags of 2 cu ft or 9 bags of 3 cu ft.
- At 3 inches deep one cubic yard covers 108 sq ft, and at 2 inches it covers 162 sq ft.
- Measure a round bed across its widest point through the middle; that is the diameter.
- Bag counts are rounded up, so a small surplus is normal and useful for later top-ups.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much mulch do I need?
Multiply the bed area in square feet by the depth in feet (inches ÷ 12) and divide by 27 for cubic yards. A 20 × 4 ft bed plus a 6 ft circle covers 108.27 sq ft; at 3 inches that is 27.069 ft³, or 1.003 yd³.
How many bags of mulch are in a yard?
One cubic yard equals 13.5 bags of 2 cu ft, so buy 14, or 9 bags of 3 cu ft.
How deep should mulch be?
Common guidance is 2 to 4 inches. The calculator starts at 3 inches and notes when your depth is outside that range. If old mulch is still there, enter only the depth you are adding.
How do I measure a round or curved bed?
For a circle, measure the diameter across the middle and choose Circle; a 6 ft circle covers 28.274 sq ft. Split curved or L-shaped beds into a few rectangles and circles and add each as a bed.
Is bulk mulch cheaper than bags?
It depends on your prices and any delivery fee. Enter them to compare: 1.003 yd³ costs 63.00 in 2 cu ft bags at 4.50, 60.00 in 3 cu ft bags at 6, and 35.09 in bulk at 35 per yard, before delivery.
How much area does a bag of mulch cover?
A 2 cu ft bag covers 24 ÷ depth in inches square feet: 12 sq ft at 2 inches, 8 sq ft at 3 inches and 6 sq ft at 4 inches. A 3 cu ft bag covers half as much again, such as 12 sq ft at 3 inches.
Does the calculator work in metric?
Measurements are in feet and inches, so convert first: 1 m is about 3.2808 ft and 5 cm is about 1.9685 in.
Is anything saved?
No. The calculation runs in your browser and nothing is uploaded or stored.
Explore the category
Glossary
- Mulch
- A layer of material such as shredded bark or wood chips spread over soil to hold moisture and suppress weeds.
- Bulk mulch
- Loose mulch sold by the cubic yard and delivered or loaded by a supplier instead of in bags.
- Cubic foot (cu ft)
- The volume of a 1 ft cube. Common mulch bag sizes are 2 and 3 cu ft.
- Tree ring
- A circular mulched area around the base of a tree, measured by its diameter.
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