Mulch planning guide

How Much Mulch Do I Need?

Mulch volume depends on bed area and installed depth. The chart below shows net cubic yards before adding extra material for settling, uneven beds or waste.

Mulch cubic yards by area and depth

Bed area2 in deep3 in deep4 in deep
50 ft²0.31 yd³0.46 yd³0.62 yd³
100 ft²0.62 yd³0.93 yd³1.23 yd³
150 ft²0.93 yd³1.39 yd³1.85 yd³
200 ft²1.23 yd³1.85 yd³2.47 yd³
250 ft²1.54 yd³2.31 yd³3.09 yd³
300 ft²1.85 yd³2.78 yd³3.70 yd³
400 ft²2.47 yd³3.70 yd³4.94 yd³
500 ft²3.09 yd³4.63 yd³6.17 yd³
750 ft²4.63 yd³6.94 yd³9.26 yd³
1000 ft²6.17 yd³9.26 yd³12.35 yd³

Bag 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 about 17 three-cubic-foot bags before allowance.

Calculate exact mulch bags and yards

Enter the bed length, width, depth and extra-material percentage.

Open Mulch Calculator →

For gravel, soil, rock, sod and pavers, visit the Landscaping Planning Hub.