Mulch Calculator | LandscapeCalculating.com

Mulch CalculatorCubic yards, bags and tons of bark, hardwood or compost mulch for any bed depth.Free mulch calculator with formulas, waste factors, cost estimates and professional guidance.Formula: cubic yards = (area sq ft × depth in ÷ 12) ÷ 27 × (1 + waste %)How to use this calculator

Measure each bed separately and add the areas together; curved beds can be sliced into 3–5 ft trapezoids.

Choose depth deliberately: 1–2 in to top-dress, 3 in for new beds, 3 in maximum around trees.

Add 5–10% for settling and spread loss, then compare the bulk yardage against bagged cost.

Frequently asked questions

How many bags of mulch are in a cubic yard?

Thirteen and a half 2 cubic foot bags, eighteen 1.5 cubic foot bags, or nine 3 cubic foot bags. Bulk usually wins above eight to ten bags.

How much does a yard of mulch weigh?

Dry shredded hardwood is about 400–800 lb per cubic yard; soaked material can exceed 1,000 lb. A half-ton pickup handles roughly one yard safely.

Should I remove old mulch first?

No, unless the accumulated layer already exceeds 3 in. Rake and fluff what is there and top-dress 1–2 in instead.

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