Mulch calculator for Utah
Get bag and yard totals for each landscape bed, along with depth advice for healthy plants.
Enter your project dimensions
With 27 cubic feet in a cubic yard, mulch equals exactly 13.5 bags sized at 2 cubic feet from the garden center. That conversion helps compare bulk material with bagged material. Add the dimensions and depth of your beds below to calculate the cubic yards needed for a bulk purchase and see the matching bag quantity. Shredded hardwood weighs around 600 lb per yard, which is why mulch is sold by volume rather than weight.
Calculating mulch for planting beds
- In feet, measure the beds and total their areas. For round beds, take the diameter, then use circle mode to calculate the area.
- A 2-inch layer works for renewing existing mulch, while new or exposed beds call for 3 inches. Do not go beyond 4 inches, since roots can lose access to air.
- Use cubic yards for a bulk order, then compare that total with bags, using 13.5 bags per yard.
Bags (2 cu ft) = cubic yards × 13.5
Coverage by depth
| Depth | 1 cubic yard covers | 10 bags (2 cu ft) cover |
|---|---|---|
| 1 inch | 324 sq ft | 240 sq ft |
| 2 inches | 162 sq ft | 120 sq ft |
| 3 inches | 108 sq ft | 80 sq ft |
| 4 inches | 81 sq ft | 60 sq ft |
Common order amounts
| Project | Typical size | Depth | Cubic yards | ≈ Bags |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Foundation beds along the house | 40 x 3 ft | 3" | 1.1 yd³ | 15 bags |
| Four tree rings | 4 ft across each | 3" | 0.5 yd³ | 6 bags |
| All beds, average yard | ≈ 500 sq ft | 3" | 4.6 yd³ | 63 bags |
| Annual refresh of the same beds | ≈ 500 sq ft | 1.5" | 2.3 yd³ | 31 bags |
| Playground surface | 15 x 15 ft | 6" | 4.2 yd³ | 56 bags |
Comparing bulk mulch and bags
At ten bags, bulk becomes the better comparison. Bags work well below that amount; beyond it, bulk is less expensive in nearly every area, and free delivery takes truck rental out of the equation. Each spring, we deliver yards to customers who bought 15 bags the prior weekend before comparing costs in the parking lot. Have one yard delivered, place a tarp over any extra material, and finish up.
Mulch depths for plant care
- After raking last year's mulch loose, apply 2 inches over it.
- Use 3 inches over bare ground. This depth helps prevent weed germination and retain moisture through July.
- Keep mulch 3 to 6 inches back from a tree trunk. Contact with the bark can cause rot and create cover for rodents. Shape the mulch like a level donut, not a volcano.
- Do not exceed 4 inches. A deep layer that stays wet can limit air reaching roots.
- Landscape shred is not intended for playgrounds. Use playground-certified chip and maintain a depth of at least 6 inches.
Selecting mulch types
The calculator starts with shredded hardwood because its texture settles together and helps it stay put on mild slopes. Chips and nuggets often last one or two seasons longer, though a heavy downpour can make them float or move around. Dyed mulch retains its color but decomposes more slowly. All types require the same volume, so your quantity stays the same; appearance and replacement timing are what differ.
Preparing for delivery
Since three yards forms a pile roughly comparable to a small car, set aside driveway space about the size of a parking spot and place a tarp beneath it, since shredded mulch can stain new concrete. Distribute it within a week or two. When a large pile sits for a month, its interior can heat and turn sour. Plan on 30 to 45 minutes with a wheelbarrow for each yard, saving the final half-yard for overlooked planting beds.
Common mulch calculation questions
How many mulch bags equal a cubic yard?
How many cubic feet does one yard of mulch contain?
How much mulch is required?
What area does a yard of mulch cover?
What is the weight of a yard of mulch?
What does a yard of mulch cost?
Will mulch draw termites?
Can fresh mulch go over old mulch?
Other calculators
Avoid the 27-bag cart.
Order bulk shredded hardwood by the yard for driveway delivery, with delivery free.
