Mulch Project Calculator
Plan a landscaping or home improvement project by estimating mulch cubic yards, bag count, coverage, mulch depth, weight, estimated cost, and pickup truck loads.
Planning a patio, slab, or hardscape too? Try the Concrete Calculator for bags, cubic yards, waste, and cost.
Building up beds before mulching? Use the Topsoil Calculator to estimate cubic yards, bags, depth, waste, and cost.
Planning borders or a property line project? Try the Fence Calculator for posts, panels, gates, concrete bags, waste, and cost.
Refreshing indoor spaces too? Try the Paint Calculator for gallons, coats, primer, waste, and cost.
Mulch Project Calculator
Estimate mulch by cubic yards, cubic feet, bags, cost, weight, and pickup truck loads. Prices are editable estimates.
1. Enter your project area
2. Depth and material
3. Editable prices and hauling assumptions
Results
Bagged mulch
| 1.5 cu ft bags | — |
| 2 cu ft bags | — |
| 3 cu ft bags | — |
Cost comparison
| 1.5 cu ft bagged | — |
| 2 cu ft bagged | — |
| 3 cu ft bagged | — |
| Bulk + delivery | — |
Weight and hauling
| Estimated total weight | — |
| Pickup truck loads | — |
Check your vehicle payload rating. Wet mulch can be much heavier.
Mulch calculator FAQ
How much does one cubic yard of mulch cover?
At 3 inches deep, one cubic yard covers about 108 square feet. At 2 inches deep, it covers about 162 square feet. At 1 inch deep, it covers about 324 square feet.
How many bags of mulch are in a cubic yard?
One cubic yard is 27 cubic feet. That equals 18 bags if each bag is 1.5 cu ft, 13.5 bags if each bag is 2 cu ft, or 9 bags if each bag is 3 cu ft.
Should I buy bagged mulch or bulk mulch?
Bagged mulch is easier for small jobs and cleaner to transport. Bulk mulch can be cheaper for larger jobs, but delivery fees and minimum order sizes matter. This calculator compares both.
Should I add extra mulch?
A 10% waste allowance is a practical default for uneven beds, measuring mistakes, edge tapering, and settling.
How deep should mulch be?
Use 1–2 inches for refreshing existing beds and 2–3 inches for new beds or weed suppression. Avoid piling mulch against tree trunks or plant stems.
How much does mulch weigh?
Mulch weight varies a lot by material and moisture. This calculator uses a low and high estimate instead of pretending there is one exact number.
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