Mulch Calculator
Find how much mulch you need in cubic yards and bags.
Enter your bed dimensions and the depth of mulch to get the volume in cubic yards and the number of standard 2-cubic-foot bags. Buying mulch in bulk by the yard is usually cheaper than bags for larger beds.
How it works
Volume is area × depth (in feet), divided by 27 for cubic yards. A standard bag holds 2 cubic feet, so a cubic yard is about 13.5 bags. A 2–3 inch layer is ideal for most beds — deep enough to suppress weeds and hold moisture without smothering roots.
Frequently asked questions
How much mulch do I need?
Multiply the bed area by the depth in feet and divide by 27 for cubic yards. A 20 ft × 10 ft bed at 3 inches deep needs about 1.85 cubic yards.
How many bags of mulch are in a cubic yard?
About 13.5 standard 2-cubic-foot bags make up one cubic yard.
How deep should mulch be?
A 2–3 inch layer is best for most garden beds. Too thin won't suppress weeds; too thick can suffocate plant roots.
How much does a yard of mulch weigh?
Roughly 400–800 pounds depending on the type and how wet it is — far lighter than soil or gravel, which is why a pickup can usually carry 2–3 yards of mulch.
Is this calculator free and private?
Yes. Every CubicCabin calculator runs entirely in your browser, so the numbers you enter are never uploaded or stored. There's no sign-up, no limits, and it keeps working even if you lose connection after the page loads.