Mulch cubic yards by area and depth
| Bed area | 2 in deep | 3 in deep | 4 in deep |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50 ft² | 0.31 yd³ | 0.46 yd³ | 0.62 yd³ |
| 100 ft² | 0.62 yd³ | 0.93 yd³ | 1.23 yd³ |
| 150 ft² | 0.93 yd³ | 1.39 yd³ | 1.85 yd³ |
| 200 ft² | 1.23 yd³ | 1.85 yd³ | 2.47 yd³ |
| 250 ft² | 1.54 yd³ | 2.31 yd³ | 3.09 yd³ |
| 300 ft² | 1.85 yd³ | 2.78 yd³ | 3.70 yd³ |
| 400 ft² | 2.47 yd³ | 3.70 yd³ | 4.94 yd³ |
| 500 ft² | 3.09 yd³ | 4.63 yd³ | 6.17 yd³ |
| 750 ft² | 4.63 yd³ | 6.94 yd³ | 9.26 yd³ |
| 1000 ft² | 6.17 yd³ | 9.26 yd³ | 12.35 yd³ |
Mulch bags by common project size
| Project | 2 ft³ bags | 3 ft³ bags |
|---|---|---|
| 100 ft² at 2 in | 9 | 6 |
| 200 ft² at 3 in | 25 | 17 |
| 500 ft² at 3 in | 63 | 42 |
| 1000 ft² at 3 in | 125 | 84 |
Mulch formula
Cubic yards = area (ft²) × depth (in) ÷ 12 ÷ 27. To estimate bags, calculate cubic feet and divide by the cubic-foot coverage printed on the bag, then round up.
Example: 200 ft² at 3 inches
A 200 ft² bed at 3 inches deep requires 50 ft³, or about 1.85 yd³, before extra material. That equals 25 two-cubic-foot bags or 17 three-cubic-foot bags when rounded up to whole bags.
Bulk mulch or bags?
Use volume rather than a fixed bag-to-yard shortcut when comparing options. The Mulch Calculator returns both bulk cubic yards and common bag quantities from the same project dimensions. If you already know the bulk-yard quantity, use the Mulch Bags per Yard Calculator to convert cubic yards directly to 2-ft³ or 3-ft³ bags. For other landscape layers, compare the Gravel Calculator, Topsoil Calculator and Paver Calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How many cubic yards of mulch do I need?
Multiply bed area in square feet by mulch depth in feet, then divide cubic feet by 27. For example, 200 square feet at 3 inches deep is about 1.85 cubic yards before extra material.
How many bags of mulch are in a cubic yard?
One cubic yard is 27 cubic feet, so it equals 13.5 two-cubic-foot bags or 9 three-cubic-foot bags by volume. Because you buy whole bags, round up for the quantity your project requires.
How much area does one cubic yard of mulch cover?
One cubic yard covers about 162 square feet at 2 inches deep, 108 square feet at 3 inches deep, or 81 square feet at 4 inches deep before extra material.