Mulch Calculator
Mulch is sold in bulk by the cubic yard or in 2 cubic foot bags. Enter your bed dimensions and depth to see the cubic yards needed, the equivalent bag count, and an estimated cost. Apply 2–3 inches deep for most beds. Prices are national ranges — get a local delivery quote before ordering bulk.
Source: Home Depot / Lowe's bag listings + regional bulk landscape supplier averages
Estimate your mulch
Showing a default 20 × 20 ft area at 2" deep. Enter your own numbers below.
Material only, $30–$50 per cubic yard. Delivery and labor not included. Estimates only — not engineering advice.
By project
Mulch cost breakdown
- Bulk mulch (per cubic yard)
- $30–$50 per yard for standard hardwood; dyed, cedar, and premium bark run higher.
- Bagged mulch (2 cu ft)
- $3–$8 per bag. Bags cost more per cubic yard but avoid delivery — better only for small beds.
- Delivery
- $40–$100 per load for bulk, often with a multi-yard minimum.
- Spreading (optional)
- $20–$45 per cubic yard if you hire out spreading.
Buying & spec guide
- Bulk by the cubic yard is far cheaper than bags once you need more than about 1.5 yards (roughly 13–14 bags).
- Apply 2–3 inches deep — deeper can suffocate roots and cause 'mulch volcano' problems around trees.
- Dyed mulch holds color longer; natural hardwood breaks down faster and feeds the soil.
- Refresh, don't rebuild: top up 1 inch each year rather than piling on a fresh full layer.
- One cubic yard covers about 108 sq ft at 3 inches deep — the calculator adds 5% for settling.
Frequently asked questions
How much mulch do I need for a garden bed?
Measure the bed's length and width, pick a depth of 2–3 inches, then use the calculator. A 20 ft × 10 ft bed at 3 inches deep needs about 1.9 cubic yards, or roughly 27 bags of 2 cu ft mulch.
How many bags of mulch are in a cubic yard?
About 13–14 bags of 2 cubic foot mulch make one cubic yard (27 ÷ 2). Bulk delivery is cheaper once you pass that.
How much does a yard of mulch cost?
Bulk mulch runs about $30–$50 per cubic yard for standard hardwood, plus $40–$100 delivery. Dyed and premium bark mulches cost more.
How deep should mulch be?
2–3 inches is ideal for beds and around plants. One cubic yard covers about 108 square feet at 3 inches, or 162 square feet at 2 inches.