Measure, type, order.
Measure each bed's length and width, pick a depth, and add the beds together. For odd shapes, break the bed into rectangles and sum them.
Enter a length and width above to see the volume.
area (sq ft) = length × widthvolume (cu ft) = area × depth in inches ÷ 12cubic yards = volume ÷ 27 · 1 cubic yard ≈ 0.765 m³The with-allowance figure adds 10% for settling, uneven ground and measuring error — a convention, not a law.
The two numbers worth memorizing.
One cubic yard of mulch covers about 162 square feet at 2 inches deep, or about 108 square feet at 3 inches. If you remember nothing else, those two figures get you close on almost any bed.
| 2 inches deep | ≈ 162 sq ft — the usual choice for topping up an existing bed that still has a base layer. |
|---|---|
| 2.5 inches deep | ≈ 130 sq ft — a solid standard for most refreshed beds. |
| 3 inches deep | ≈ 108 sq ft — for new beds or beds stripped back to soil, where the layer does all the work. |
The calculator is a start. The tape measure is the truth.
Curved beds, slopes, mature planting and old material all change the real volume — and none of them fit in a length-times-width box. When we quote, we measure every bed on site and scope the preparation honestly, so the number you approve is the number you pay.
The details people ask about.
How many square feet does one yard of mulch cover?
One cubic yard covers about 162 square feet at 2 inches deep, or about 108 square feet at 3 inches deep. The math: a cubic yard is 27 cubic feet, and depth in feet times area equals volume.
How deep should mulch be?
A common working range for bark mulch is 2 to 3 inches after settling — enough to suppress weeds and hold moisture without smothering roots. Material and planting can change the right depth, so treat one number as a starting point, not a rule. Our mulch installation page covers how we choose depth per bed.
Should I order extra mulch?
A modest allowance of roughly 10% covers settling, uneven ground and measurement error. The calculator shows the exact figure and the with-allowance figure separately, so you decide.
How accurate is a mulch calculator?
As accurate as the measurements you feed it. Irregular beds, slopes and curves add real volume that a simple length-times-width model misses — which is why we measure on site before quoting rather than pricing off a form.