Mulch Calculator
Enter your mulch bed dimensions and desired depth. Get cubic yards, bag count (2 cu ft standard bag), and a rough cost comparison between bagged and bulk.
Cost Comparison (Optional)
Materials Needed
Bags vs. bulk
A standard mulch bag is 2 cubic feet. A cubic yard is 27 cubic feet — so one cubic yard equals 13.5 bags. Bagged mulch typically runs $3–$6 per bag at big-box stores; bulk delivery is usually $30–$60 per cubic yard depending on material and delivery distance. Break-even is typically around 3–4 cubic yards — below that, bagged is easier; above, bulk is significantly cheaper.
Depth recommendations
2–3" for annual refresh on established beds. 3–4" for weed suppression on new beds. Never pile mulch against tree trunks (“mulch volcanoes”) — keep a 2–3" gap from the bark to prevent rot and pest problems.
Mulch types + coverage
Bark mulch and wood chips give the coverage this calculator estimates. Compost is denser and settles more; buy 15–20% extra. Rubber mulch doesn't decompose but weighs 4–5× as much as wood by volume — check delivery weight limits.