Mulch Calculator: Bags or Cubic Yards
A 20 × 5 ft bed at 3 in deep takes 0.93 cu yd of mulch (25.0 cu ft): 13 bags of 2 cu ft or 9 bags of 3 cu ft. UF/IFAS: “One cubic yard of mulch will cover 324 square feet of ground at 1 inch deep, or 108 square feet at 3 inches deep”.
Set up for: mulch for beds or a playground · Different project?
How far a cubic yard goes
| Depth | Sq ft per cu yd |
|---|---|
| 1 in | 324 |
| 2 in | 162 |
| 3 in | 108 |
| 4 in | 81 |
How deep to spread it
- University of Florida IFAS Extension: “Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ recommends mulching to a depth of 3 inches”
- Colorado State University Extension: “Apply most mulches, including wood chips and pea gravel, to a depth of 3 to 4 inches”
- Iowa State University Extension: “Many hardwood chipped or shredded mulches are spread between 2 and 4 inches thick”
How many bags of mulch in a yard
FAQ
How do I calculate how much mulch I need?
Square feet × depth in inches ÷ 324 = cubic yards (UF/IFAS). For bags, multiply cubic yards by 27 and divide by the bag size in cubic feet.
How much mulch for a playground?
Use the same calculation with the depth your playground surface guidance asks for; we don't set safety depths. Type the area and depth into the calculator.
Sources
- University of Florida IFAS Extension: Mulch (Gardening Solutions) · fetched and reviewed 2026-11-10
- Colorado State University Extension: Mulches for home gardens · fetched and reviewed 2026-11-10
- Iowa State University Extension: How to determine the amount of mulch needed · fetched and reviewed 2026-11-10
- UC Marin Master Gardeners: Applying mulch · fetched and reviewed 2026-11-10
Volumes only. ConcreteMath calculates volumes, bag counts, weights and your own cost figures. It gives no structural or engineering advice and never sizes footings, piers, slabs or rebar: those come from your plans, an engineer or your local building department. Bag counts are estimates from each maker's published yield; actual use varies with hole shape, uneven ground, waste and mixing. Bulk weights are published ranges; your supplier's figure wins.