Mulch calculator
A fresh bed. The right amount of mulch.
Calculate mulch in cubic yards and bags, then compare bagged and bulk costs with your own supplier prices.
Clear math. Better decisions.
A worked example
A 20 × 10 ft bed at 3 inches deep needs 50 cubic feet. With 10% extra, that is 55 cubic feet, 2.04 cubic yards, or 28 whole 2-cubic-foot bags.
Before you order
- Measure just the planted bed, excluding paths and other areas you will not cover.
- Enter the additional depth you need, not the total desired depth if mulch is already present.
- A 2-cubic-foot bag is a volume example. Check the bag label before ordering.
Reference: University of Maryland Extension: Mulching trees and shrubs.
Good questions.
How deep should mulch be?
University of Maryland Extension describes a 2–3 inch layer for trees and shrubs and advises keeping it away from trunks. Existing mulch, plant needs, and local conditions can change the amount to add. The starting value here is an example, not a prescription.
Does bulk always cost less?
No. A delivery charge can outweigh a lower material price. Enter both prices and the bulk delivery charge to compare the same planned volume. Bag costs round up to complete bags; bulk costs assume exact-volume sales.
What does the extra percentage do?
It increases the calculated quantity before package rounding. Use 0% for the geometric volume alone. It does not automatically account for every slope, hollow, or existing layer.
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