Mulch Calculator
How much mulch do I need? Enter bed size and depth to get cubic feet, cubic yards, a waste-adjusted volume, and a recommended bulk order.
Calculator
How it works
We convert length, width, and depth to feet, multiply by the number of beds for cubic feet, then divide by 27 for cubic yards. Waste is applied after that conversion. Recommended order rounds up to the next 0.25 cubic yard.
Formula
Cubic feet = L x W x D x areas (all in feet). Cubic yards = cubic feet / 27. With waste = cubic yards x (1 + waste%). 1 cubic yard = 27 cubic feet.
Example
A 10 ft x 12 ft bed, 3 inches deep, 1 area, 10% waste: 10 x 12 x 0.25 = 30 cubic feet ~ 1.11 cubic yards exact; with waste ~ 1.22; recommended order 1.25 cubic yards.
How to measure
Measure the length and width of each bed. Depth is how thick you want the mulch (often 2–3 inches). For several similar beds, set number of areas instead of adding the volumes by hand.
FAQ
How much mulch do I need for a 10x12 bed?
At 3 inches deep and 10% waste, this calculator recommends 1.25 cubic yards. Shallower 2-inch beds need less.
How deep should mulch be?
Most landscape beds do well at 2–3 inches. Deeper than 4 inches can smother plant roots.
Is a cubic yard the same as a bag of mulch?
No. One cubic yard is 27 cubic feet. A common bag is 2 cubic feet, so a yard is about 13–14 bags.