Mulch & Gravel Calculator
Calculate cubic yards and bags of mulch or gravel from bed size and depth — 2 cu ft and 3 cu ft bag counts included.
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How Much Mulch or Gravel Do I Need?
Volume = area (sq ft) × depth (in ÷ 12) in cubic feet; ÷ 27 gives cubic yards, the unit bulk suppliers deliver. Mulch bags commonly hold 2 cu ft (sometimes 3); one cubic yard equals 13.5 bags of 2 cu ft. Recommended depths: 2-3 inches for mulch around plants (deeper suffocates roots), 2-4 inches for decorative gravel, 4+ inches for a gravel driveway base.
Rule of thumb: one cubic yard covers about 108 sq ft at 3 inches deep, or 162 sq ft at 2 inches.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many bags of mulch are in a cubic yard?
A cubic yard is 27 cu ft, so 13.5 bags of 2 cu ft (or 9 bags of 3 cu ft). Above roughly a yard, bulk delivery is usually cheaper than bags.
How much area does one yard of mulch cover?
About 324 sq ft at 1 inch deep — so 162 sq ft at 2 inches and 108 sq ft at the standard 3-inch depth.
How deep should mulch be?
2-3 inches is ideal: enough to suppress weeds and hold moisture, not so deep that it starves roots of oxygen. Keep it a few inches away from trunks and stems.
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Mulch & Gravel Calculator