ProjectCalc (working name)

Mulch Calculator

How much mulch do you need? Enter the bed area and depth — get cubic yards for bulk delivery or bag counts for bagged mulch, plus a printable shopping list.

Feet — fractions welcome: 10' 6"
Feet
Prefilled from job type — adjust freely
Covers settling and uneven beds
Bulk mulch typically $30–$55/yd³ before delivery

MeasureAmount
Cubic yards (bulk)
2 cu ft bags
3 cu ft bags
Cubic feet

Rule of thumb: 1 cubic yard covers ~108 sq ft at 3″ deep. Bagged mulch makes sense under ~1 yard; beyond that, bulk delivery is usually far cheaper per yard.

🛒 Shopping list

ItemQty
Mulch
Landscape fabric (optional under mulch) — area + 10%
Edging / border (perimeter)

✅ Project checklist

  • Pull weeds and trim bed edges before spreading
  • Optional: lay landscape fabric, 6″ overlaps, pinned
  • Keep mulch 3–4″ away from trunks and stems — no mulch volcanoes
  • Spread evenly at your target depth; rake smooth
  • Water lightly to settle and keep bags out of the rain until used

How the math works

Volume = area × depth. Cubic yards = cubic feet ÷ 27; bags = cubic feet ÷ bag size. Depths: 2″ refreshes an existing bed, 3″ is the standard for new beds, 4″ where weed suppression matters most. Mulch settles and decomposes — the extra allowance keeps you from running short mid-job.

For estimation only. Bag sizes vary by brand; check the cubic-foot rating on the bag, not the product name.