Mulch is sold in bags at the store and by the cubic yard in bulk. Bulk is usually cheaper past a few yards.
Mulch calculator
Measure the area and depth. Add your supplier’s weight per yard to see tons.
Enter your numbers to see the result.
How it works
Cubic yards = area x depth (in) / 324. One cubic yard covers 324 sq ft at 1 in, 162 sq ft at 2 in and 108 sq ft at 3 in.
How deep?
UF/IFAS Extension recommends about 3 in of mulch for landscape beds and warns against piling on more, which can keep water from reaching roots. Keep mulch pulled back from stems and trunks. Top up when it settles below about 2 in.
Bags vs bulk
A 2 cu ft bag covers 8 sq ft at 3 in. A cubic yard is 13.5 of those bags.
Sources
Sources last checked 1 November 2026.
Frequently asked questions
How many bags of mulch do I need?
Square feet x depth (in) / 12, divided by the bag size. 100 sq ft at 3 in is 25 cu ft: 13 bags of 2 cu ft.
How much does a yard of mulch cover?
108 sq ft at 3 in deep, 162 sq ft at 2 in.
How deep should mulch be?
About 3 in for most beds, per UF/IFAS.