Mulch calculator
Mulch is sold by the cubic yard in bulk or in 2 and 3 cubic foot bags. Enter the bed area and the depth you want, and the calculator gives cubic yards, bag counts and cost. Measure the beds with the lawn size calculator if you don't know the area.
Formula500 × 3 ÷ 324
Cubic yards4.63
Cubic feet125
2 cu ft bags63 bags
3 cu ft bags42 bags
Bulk cost$225.00 (5.0 yd ordered)
Bagged cost (2 cu ft)$283.50
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AboveYard keeps these measurements, prices them from your own rate sheet, and sends the customer a quote they can approve and sign online. Flat price, unlimited measurements, free during early access.
How to use it
- Enter the total bed area in square feet.
- Choose the depth: 2 inches for a refresh, 3 inches for new beds.
- Enter your price per cubic yard or per bag to see the cost.
Frequently asked questions
- How do I calculate cubic yards of mulch?
- Multiply the bed area in square feet by the depth in inches and divide by 324. A 500 sq ft bed at 3 inches needs 500 × 3 ÷ 324 = 4.6 cubic yards.
- How many bags are in a cubic yard?
- A cubic yard is 27 cubic feet, so 13.5 two-cubic-foot bags or 9 three-cubic-foot bags.
- How deep should mulch be?
- Two to three inches for most beds. Go thinner around trunks and stems, and refresh with about an inch each year rather than piling it up.
- Is bulk mulch cheaper than bags?
- Usually, once you need more than a cubic yard or two, bulk delivery costs less per yard. Bags win for small beds or when access is tight.
- How much mulch fits in a pickup?
- A full-size pickup bed holds roughly 2 to 3 cubic yards of mulch loosely loaded; check your payload rating for wet mulch.