How do I handle irregular beds?

Break complex shapes into rectangles/circles, calculate each, then add the volumes.

What depth should I use?

Common recommendations: 2" for light coverage, 3" for weed suppression, 4" for playground mulch.

Is bag coverage exact?

Bagged mulch can vary by moisture and fluffiness. This uses volume; round up to avoid running short.

Can I switch between bulk and bags?

Yes. Compare cubic yards (for bulk) to bag counts to see which is cheaper for your project size.

Do I need landscape fabric?

This tool doesn’t cover installation choices. Many use fabric for weed control, but it depends on your preference and plantings.

construction calculator

Mulch Calculator

Estimate how many cubic yards or bags of mulch you need for beds, trees, or playgrounds.

Results

Area (sq ft): 200.00
Volume (cu ft): 55.00
Volume (cu yd): 2.04
Bags needed: 27.50

How to use this calculator

Enter bed length and width in feet.
Enter desired mulch depth in inches.
Select bag size, and see cubic feet, cubic yards, and bag counts.

Inputs explained

Bed length/width: Dimensions of the area to cover in feet.
Depth: Mulch depth in inches (common: 2–4 inches).
Bag size: Standard mulch bag volume in cubic feet.

How it works

We compute area (length × width), convert depth to feet, and output cubic feet and cubic yards.

Bag counts use your bag size and include a waste buffer for settling or overlap.

Formula

Volume (cu ft) = Area × Depth(ft)
Bags = Volume × (1 + waste) ÷ Bag size

When to use it

Estimating mulch for garden beds, trees, or playgrounds.
Comparing bulk delivery vs. bagged purchases.
Budgeting materials for landscaping quotes.

Tips & cautions

Add extra for irregular shapes or berms; rounding up avoids running short.
Depth of 2–3 inches is common for weed suppression; playgrounds often need more per local rules.
Bag coverage varies slightly by material fluffiness; this is a solid estimate using volume.
Assumes rectangular beds; irregular areas may need segmentation.
Does not account for compaction over time.
Waste factor is not adjustable here; round up if you expect more overlap or settling.

Worked examples

20×10 bed @ 3 inches

Area = 200 sq ft
Volume ≈ 50 cu ft
≈ 1.85 cu yd

Round bed estimate

Approximate by converting diameter to length/width or divide into rectangular sections.

Deep dive

This mulch calculator estimates cubic yards and bag counts from bed dimensions and depth. Enter length, width, depth, and bag size to size deliveries or store trips.

Use it for gardens, trees, and playgrounds. Round up for irregular shapes and consider 2–4 inch depth for coverage, with more for play surfaces if required locally.

FAQs

How do I handle irregular beds?: Break complex shapes into rectangles/circles, calculate each, then add the volumes.
What depth should I use?: Common recommendations: 2" for light coverage, 3" for weed suppression, 4" for playground mulch.
Is bag coverage exact?: Bagged mulch can vary by moisture and fluffiness. This uses volume; round up to avoid running short.
Can I switch between bulk and bags?: Yes. Compare cubic yards (for bulk) to bag counts to see which is cheaper for your project size.
Do I need landscape fabric?: This tool doesn’t cover installation choices. Many use fabric for weed control, but it depends on your preference and plantings.

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