Enter the length and width of your garden bed (in feet) and your desired mulch depth (in inches or feet). The calculator instantly gives you the total volume in cubic yards and cubic feet, the number of 2 ft³ or 3 ft³ bags you'd need, bulk cubic yards, and an estimated weight in tons. This makes it easy to compare bag prices vs. bulk delivery quotes.
The sweet spot for most garden beds is 2–4 inches. Less than 2 inches won't effectively suppress weeds or retain moisture. More than 4 inches can suffocate plant roots, trap too much moisture, and create a habitat for pests and fungus. For playgrounds, the CPSC recommends at least 9–12 inches of mulch for impact attenuation.
If you need more than 2–3 cubic yards, bulk delivery is almost always cheaper per yard. A typical bag of mulch at the home center is 2 cubic feet and costs $4–6. A cubic yard (27 ft³) equals about 13.5 of those bags — so at $5/bag you're paying $67.50 per yard in bags vs. $25–40 per yard for bulk delivery. The calculator shows both so you can decide.
For circular beds, use the diameter as both length and width (the calculator uses a rectangular area, so this gives a slight overestimate — fine for mulch). For L-shaped or irregular beds, break them into rectangles, calculate each separately, and add the results.
2–4 inches is ideal for most garden beds. Less than 2 inches won't suppress weeds effectively. More than 4 inches can suffocate plant roots and prevent water from reaching the soil.
Measure your bed's length × width × desired depth in feet, then divide by 27 to get cubic yards. Our calculator does this for you instantly.
Bulk is cheaper per yard if you need more than 2–3 cubic yards. Bags are convenient for small jobs and easier to transport. Most bagged mulch is 2 cubic feet per bag.
Wood mulch weighs about 400–600 lbs per cubic yard depending on moisture. Rubber mulch is much heavier at 800–1,200 lbs per yard.