YardBatchA little planning. A better yard.

Less guesswork. More groundwork.

Mulch calculator

Turn your garden-bed measurements into cubic yards, bags, and a plan for buying.

Measure your area

length

Measure the part you plan to cover.

Enter the depth of new mulch you plan to add, not the total depth of an existing layer.

Compare how to buy

Use your local quotes in US dollars. Check the volume on the bag, not just its weight.

Adjust order rounding & extra material

The ¼-yard increment is a starting assumption. Match your supplier’s actual increments and minimum. Extra allowance is your choice, not a recommended compaction factor.

The math, in the open

From measurements to materials.

Area (sq ft) × depth (in) ÷ 324 = cubic yards

Multiply by 1 + your allowance percentage, then round up to whole bags or your supplier’s bulk increments.

How many bags of mulch are in a cubic yard?

A cubic yard contains 27 cubic feet: 13.5 bags at 2 cubic feet each, or 9 bags at 3 cubic feet each. To buy at least a full yard in 2-cubic-foot bags, round up to 14 bags.

Why is the bulk order larger than the estimate?

The estimate is the volume your measurements require. The order quantity rounds that volume up to your supplier’s increment and minimum. You can change both under “Adjust order rounding & extra material.”

A little know-how goes a long way.

All field guides
Young green plants growing in dark soil in a cedar raised bed beside a gravel path

Before the garden center

Measure twice.
Make one trip.

A few careful measurements are the best place to start. Break an irregular bed into smaller shapes, check your depth, and keep your supplier’s bag size handy.

The measuring guide