Calculate Mulch

Professional Mulch Calculator

Calculate exactly how many bags or cubic yards of mulch you need for your garden project.

1 Inch 2 Inches (Recommended) 3 Inches (Weed Control) 4 Inches 5 Inches 6 Inches

Estimation Results:

Total Volume: 0 Cubic Feet

Bulk Amount: 0 Cubic Yards

2-cu-ft Bags Needed: 0

3-cu-ft Bags Needed: 0

Estimated Total Cost: $0.00

How Much Mulch Do You Really Need?

Planning a landscaping project requires precision to avoid multiple trips to the garden center or overspending on bulk deliveries. This mulch calculator uses your garden's dimensions to determine the precise volume of organic material required to maintain soil health and aesthetic appeal.

Standard Coverage Guidelines

• 2 Inches: Ideal for established beds to refresh color and maintain moisture.
• 3 Inches: Best for new garden beds to suppress weed growth effectively.
• 4+ Inches: Typically used for pathways or around large trees to prevent soil compaction.

Calculation Example

If you have a flower bed that is 20 feet long and 5 feet wide (100 square feet) and you want a 3-inch layer of mulch:

1. Convert depth to feet: 3 inches / 12 = 0.25 feet.
2. Multiply dimensions: 20ft x 5ft x 0.25ft = 25 Cubic Feet.
3. Convert to Cubic Yards: 25 / 27 = 0.93 Cubic Yards.
4. In 2-cubic-foot bags: 25 / 2 = 12.5 (Round up to 13 bags).

Why Mulching Matters

Beyond aesthetics, mulch serves three critical functions. First, it acts as an insulator, protecting root systems from extreme temperature fluctuations. Second, it drastically reduces water evaporation, meaning you spend less time watering. Finally, as organic mulch (like cedar or hardwood) breaks down, it enriches the soil with vital nutrients, improving your garden's long-term health.

function calculateMulch() { var length = parseFloat(document.getElementById('mulchLength').value); var width = parseFloat(document.getElementById('mulchWidth').value); var depthInch = parseFloat(document.getElementById('mulchDepth').value); var price = parseFloat(document.getElementById('mulchPrice').value); if (isNaN(length) || isNaN(width) || length <= 0 || width 0) { var totalCost = 0; // Assume user entered price per unit based on what they are buying // We calculate based on the larger requirement (usually bags or yards) // For simplicity, we multiply price by cubic yards (bulk) or bags // We will use the 2cu ft bag count for cost if it's a smaller number, otherwise yards if (totalCuYards < 1) { totalCost = bags2 * price; } else { totalCost = totalCuYards * price; } document.getElementById('resCost').innerText = totalCost.toLocaleString(undefined, {minimumFractionDigits: 2, maximumFractionDigits: 2}); costSection.style.display = 'block'; } else { costSection.style.display = 'none'; } document.getElementById('mulchResult').style.display = 'block'; }