Mulch calculator
Enter the size of the bed and the depth. A 20 × 10 ft bed at 3 inches deep needs about 1.85 cubic yards of mulch, or 25 bags of 2 cu ft before extra.
Bulk
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Or in bags
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How the calculator works
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Length × width × depth gives the volume in cubic feet. Bulk mulch is sold by the cubic yard (27 cubic feet); bagged mulch is labelled in cubic feet, most often 2 cu ft.
How deep should mulch be?
The University of Florida's Florida-Friendly Landscaping program recommends keeping "a 2- to 3-inch-deep layer of mulch on plant beds" and leaving at least 2 inches of space around tree trunks to prevent rot (UF/IFAS). Topping up an existing bed usually needs less than a new one.
Coverage of one cubic yard
| Depth | Area covered by 1 yd³ |
|---|---|
| 1 in | 324 sq ft |
| 2 in | 162 sq ft |
| 3 in | 108 sq ft |
| 4 in | 81 sq ft |
One cubic yard is 324 sq ft at 1 inch deep (27 cu ft × 12).