Bags of Mulch Calculator

Calculate how many bags of mulch you need for your project, or convert bags to cubic yards/meters. Supports both imperial and metric measurements.

Mulch Bag Converter

Measurement System:

Mulch Coverage Guide

Imperial Coverage (per cubic yard)

DepthCoverage2 cu ft bags needed
1 inch324 sq ft13.5 bags
2 inches162 sq ft13.5 bags
3 inches108 sq ft13.5 bags
4 inches81 sq ft13.5 bags

Metric Coverage (per cubic meter)

DepthCoverage50L bags needed
5 cm20 m²20 bags
7.5 cm13.3 m²20 bags
10 cm10 m²20 bags
15 cm6.7 m²20 bags

Mulch Bag Calculator Guide

Mulch is typically sold in bags for smaller projects and in bulk (cubic yards or meters) for larger areas. This calculator helps you convert between these measurements.

Common Bag Sizes

Imperial (US)

  • 2 cubic feet: Most common size, weighs about 20-40 lbs
  • 3 cubic feet: Larger bags, popular at big box stores
  • 1.5 cubic feet: Smaller bags, easier to handle

Metric

  • 50-60 liters: Standard size in metric countries
  • 70-75 liters: Larger bags for bigger projects
  • 40 liters: Smaller, more manageable size

Recommended Mulch Depths

  • Flower beds: 2-3 inches (5-7.5 cm)
  • Around trees: 3-4 inches (7.5-10 cm)
  • Vegetable gardens: 2-3 inches (5-7.5 cm)
  • Pathways: 3-4 inches (7.5-10 cm)
  • Playground areas: 6+ inches (15+ cm) for safety

When to Buy Bagged vs Bulk

Buy Bagged Mulch When:

  • Project requires less than 2 cubic yards
  • No truck or trailer available for bulk delivery
  • Working on multiple small areas
  • Storage is limited

Buy Bulk Mulch When:

  • Project requires 2+ cubic yards
  • Cost savings outweigh delivery fees
  • Large, continuous areas to cover
  • Have space for bulk delivery

Ready to Calculate Your Mulch Needs?

Use our full mulch calculator for detailed area measurements and cost comparisons.

Mulch Calculator