Mulch Calculator
Type a depth. The cited organic range is 2 to 4 inches, and 1 to 2 inches for finely shredded mulch. No single depth is pre-filled.
Result: mulch
Enter an area greater than 0.
How Much Mulch Do You Need?
Cubic yards = square feet × depth in inches ÷ 324
Extension guides recommend 2 to 4 inches of organic mulch, or 1 to 2 inches for finely shredded mulch. The bag count uses the cubic feet printed on your bag. Virginia Cooperative Extension SPES-661.
At the low end of the organic range, 2 inches over 1,000 square feet is 6.17 cubic yards. At 4 inches the same area is 12.35 cubic yards.
Bag count is cubic yards times 27, divided by the cubic feet printed on the bag. Two and three cubic feet are package sizes you may see. They are not a default. Leave the bag field blank to see yards only. Round up to a whole bag when you buy.
Mulch Volumes at the Cited Depths
| Depth | Cubic yards | Bags if the bag is 2 cu ft |
|---|---|---|
| 1 inch | 3.09 cu yd | 41.7 bags |
| 2 inches | 6.17 cu yd | 83.3 bags |
| 4 inches | 12.35 cu yd | 166.7 bags |
Common Mistakes With the Mulch Calculator
- Piling organic mulch past 4 inches because a bag was handy. The cited organic range stops at 4 inches.
- Using the organic range for fine shredded mulch. That note is 1 to 2 inches.
- Assuming every bag is 2 cubic feet. Read the bag, or leave the field blank.
Related Calculator: Topsoil
This link sits below the result, not in the first screen of the topsoil page's reverse path.
Mulch Calculator FAQ
How deep does Virginia Cooperative Extension list organic mulch?
2 to 4 inches, and 1 to 2 inches if it is finely shredded.
How many cubic yards is 2 inches over 1,000 square feet?
6.17 cubic yards.
Does a bag size come preset?
No. Enter the cubic feet on the bag. Two and three cubic feet are package sizes you may see, not a site default.