How it’s calculated
Example: a 20 ft × 10 ft bed (200 ft²) at 3 in = 200 × 3 ÷ 12 = 50 ft³ = 1.85 yd³, or 25 bags of 2 ft³. With 5% extra: 52.5 ft³ = 1.94 yd³, or ⌈52.5 ÷ 2⌉ = 27 bags.
| Depth | One cubic yard covers |
|---|---|
| 2 in | 162 ft² |
| 3 in | 108 ft² |
| 4 in | 81 ft² |
Frequently asked questions
How many bags of mulch are in a yard?
A cubic yard is 27 ft³, so 13.5 bags of 2 ft³ or 9 bags of 3 ft³.
How much area does a yard of mulch cover?
About 324 ft² at 1 in deep, 162 ft² at 2 in, 108 ft² at 3 in and 81 ft² at 4 in.
How deep should mulch be?
Usually 2–4 in for shredded hardwood or bark. Keep mulch pulled back a few inches from tree trunks and plant stems.
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Sources
- How to Determine the Amount of Mulch Needed for a Garden Bed — Iowa State University Extension and Outreach
- Calculating Mulch — University of Florida IFAS, Florida-Friendly Landscaping
- How Much Compost, Soil or Mulch? — Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, Travis County
Formulas are taken from the free public references above. Results are provided “as is” for informational and educational purposes only. See our disclaimer.
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