Mulch coverage calculator
Calculate quantities for rectangles, circles, multiple areas, and mixed units.
Mulch calculator / Mulch coverage chart
Quantity reference
Mulch Coverage Per Cubic Yard Chart
One cubic yard covers 108 square feet at 3 inches. Choose your added depth below for the geometric area before any project allowance.
How much mulch per square foot? At 3 inches deep, use 0.25 ft³ (0.00926 yd³) per ft². For any added depth, cubic feet per ft² = depth in inches ÷ 12; cubic yards per ft² = depth in inches ÷ 324. These are geometric amounts before uneven-ground or order allowances.
| Finished or added depth | Square feet per yd³ | Calculation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 inch | 324 ft² | 324 ÷ 1 |
| 2 inches | 162 ft² | 324 ÷ 2 |
| 3 inches | 108 ft² | 324 ÷ 3 |
| 4 inches | 81 ft² | 324 ÷ 4 |
| 6 inches | 54 ft² | 324 ÷ 6 |
Formula: square feet covered by one cubic yard = 27 ft³ ÷ (depth in inches ÷ 12), which simplifies to 324 ÷ depth in inches.
Planning note: Actual coverage varies with settling, product texture, and how evenly the mulch is spread. Treat the chart as a quantity reference, not a supplier quote.
Why depth changes coverage
One cubic yard is 27 cubic feet. Spreading it in a deeper layer covers less measured ground: the same volume reaches 324 square feet at 1 inch, but only 81 square feet at 4 inches.
Use this table to check a supplier quantity against a known area. If you have the volume and a chosen depth but need the estimated footprint, use the mulch volume-to-area calculator. If the material is already on hand and you know the total area, estimate its average layer with the mulch depth from volume calculator. If you are comparing two depth options for one measured area, use the mulch depth comparison calculator. For m² and millimetres, use the cubic-metre and litre mulch calculator. For several beds, keep the shapes and depths separate in the multiple-bed measurement guide. If material remains in the bed, calculate only the new layer with the mulch depth and top-up calculator.
A fixed-area buying reference
Plan 100 square feet in bags or bulk
For a measured 100 ft² bed, the table converts each example added depth to cubic yards and whole 2 ft³ or 3 ft³ bags. Bag counts are rounded up because this reference counts complete bags; use the volume printed on the package you plan to buy.
| Depth | yd³ | 2 ft³ bags | 3 ft³ bags |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.5 in | 0.154 | 3 | 2 |
| 1 in | 0.309 | 5 | 3 |
| 1.5 in | 0.463 | 7 | 5 |
| 2 in | 0.617 | 9 | 6 |
| 2.5 in | 0.772 | 11 | 7 |
| 3 in | 0.926 | 13 | 9 |
| 3.5 in | 1.080 | 15 | 10 |
| 4 in | 1.235 | 17 | 12 |
| 4.5 in | 1.389 | 19 | 13 |
| 5 in | 1.543 | 21 | 14 |
| 5.5 in | 1.698 | 23 | 16 |
| 6 in | 1.852 | 25 | 17 |
Formula: cubic feet = 100 × added depth in inches ÷ 12; cubic yards = cubic feet ÷ 27; whole bags = round up(cubic feet ÷ printed bag volume). The calculation follows the area-and-depth method in Iowa State University Extension’s mulch quantity guide. It does not add material for uneven ground, settling, loss, or a supplier’s minimum or order increment. For an area other than 100 ft², enter your measured areas and package size in the mulch calculator.
Common questions
Mulch coverage chart FAQ
Why does one cubic yard cover 108 square feet at 3 inches?
One cubic yard is 27 cubic feet. A 3-inch layer is 0.25 feet deep, so 27 ÷ 0.25 = 108 square feet before any project allowance.
Can I use the chart for half a cubic yard?
Multiply the listed area by the fraction of a yard. At 3 inches, half a cubic yard has a geometric coverage of 54 square feet before any allowance.
Should I add extra mulch?
Settling and site conditions can change the order quantity. If you add an allowance, keep the measured volume visible and confirm the final amount with your supplier.
What if I know the area but not the number of yards?
Use the mulch calculator to enter the measured shape or known area. It returns the exact volume before supplier minimums and order increments.
Related mulch tools
Calculate, price, and plan the job
Mulch calculator for multiple beds
Keep each bed's shape and depth separate, then combine the measured volume into one order.
Installation cost calculator
Enter local material, delivery, and labor rates for a per-area estimate.
Project planner
Turn measured areas into an order quantity and installation checklist.
Bags per cubic yard chart
Convert a bulk cubic-yard quantity into whole bags by the package size.
Mulch depth and top-up calculator
Subtract an existing settled layer from a site-specific finished depth.
How much mulch do I need?
Follow the formulas with rectangle and circle examples.
Pine straw calculator
Measure multiple beds and tree rings, then use your supplier's bale coverage.