Mulch Calculator
Enter your bed dimensions and the mulch depth (2–3 inches is typical). Get the volume in cubic yards plus the number of standard 2 cubic-foot bags.
Your measurements
ft
ft
in
$
Coverage
- Bed area
- 160 ft²
- Cubic feet
- 40 ft³
Buy this
- 2 ft³ bags
- 20 bags
- Bulk volume
- 1.48 yd³
Mulch needed
20 bags
or 1.48 yd³ bulk
Estimates only. Order a little extra for waste and verify against your supplier's coverage figures.
The formula
Bags = (Length ft × Width ft × Depth ft) ÷ 2 ft³ per bag
Example: A 20 ft × 8 ft bed at 3 in deep = 40 ft³ → 20 × 2 ft³ bags, or 1.48 yd³ bulk.
How it works
- 1Multiply bed area by depth (in feet) to get cubic feet.
- 2Bagged mulch is sold in 2 ft³ bags — divide cubic feet by 2.
- 3Bulk mulch is sold by the cubic yard (27 ft³) and is cheaper for large beds.
Frequently asked questions
How deep should mulch be?
2–3 inches is ideal. Deeper than 3 inches can suffocate roots and waste material; thinner won't suppress weeds well.