Mulch Calculator
How much mulch to order for your beds — in cubic yards or bags, with cost.
Mulch calculator
Not sure of the area? Use the square footage calculator →
You need
1.85 yd³
or 25 2 ft³ bags
Estimated cost $56 – $120
Working out how much mulch to buy
Mulch is sold by the cubic yard in bulk or in 2 ft³ bags. Measure your bed's square footage, pick a depth (3" is the sweet spot), and the calculator converts it to both — so you can compare a bulk delivery against bags.
Not sure of the area? The square footage calculator handles odd-shaped beds and hands the number straight here.
Prices updated January 2026 National US averages · reviewed quarterly
Volumes use standard bag yields and a 10% waste allowance; costs are national US averages that vary by region, mix and finish. See our methodology for exactly how each figure is worked out, or check the reference sources:
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Frequently asked questions
How much mulch do I need?
Multiply the bed area by the depth (3" is standard) and divide by 27 for cubic yards. A 200 sq ft bed at 3" needs about 1.85 cubic yards, or roughly 25 × 2 ft³ bags.
How many bags of mulch in a cubic yard?
A cubic yard is 27 ft³, so at 2 ft³ per bag that's about 14 bags per cubic yard. Bulk delivery is usually cheaper once you need more than ~10–12 bags.
How deep should mulch be?
2–3" is ideal for most beds — enough to suppress weeds and hold moisture without smothering roots. Use 2" for topping up, 3" for a fresh layer.
How much does mulch cost?
Bulk mulch runs about $30–$65 per cubic yard delivered in 2026; bagged mulch is roughly $3.50–$6 per 2 ft³ bag.