Bags per cubic yard
A cubic yard is 27 cubic feet, so divide 27 by the cubic feet on the bag. Whole bags are what you buy, so round up.
| Bag size | Bags per yard (exact) | Bags to buy | Coverage per bag at 3 in | Coverage per bag at 2 in |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 cu ft | 27.0 | 27 | 4.0 | 6.0 |
| 1.5 cu ft | 18.0 | 18 | 6.0 | 9.0 |
| 2 cu ft | 13.5 | 14 | 8.0 | 12.0 |
| 3 cu ft | 9.0 | 9 | 12.0 | 18.0 |
Coverage is in square feet. A 2 cubic foot bag spread 3 inches deep covers 8 sq ft, and the same bag at 2 inches covers 12 sq ft.
How many bags for a bed?
| Bed size | Area | Bags of 2 cu ft at 3 in | Cubic yards |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 × 8 ft | 32 sq ft | 4 | 0.30 |
| 6 × 10 ft | 60 sq ft | 8 | 0.56 |
| 10 × 10 ft | 100 sq ft | 13 | 0.93 |
| 10 × 20 ft | 200 sq ft | 25 | 1.85 |
| 20 × 20 ft | 400 sq ft | 50 | 3.70 |
Bags or bulk?
Bagged mulch costs more per cubic foot, but it is easy to carry and stack. Once a job needs more than about 3 cubic yards, which is 40 bags of the 2 cubic foot size, a bulk delivery is usually easier. Bulk mulch is sold by the cubic yard, and a yard weighs roughly 600 lb, as shown in the material weight chart.
Enter your bed size in the mulch calculator to get yards and bags together.
Bags for common beds
Bags of 2 cubic feet and 3 cubic feet, rounded up, at the two usual depths.
| Bed | 2 in: 2 cu ft bags | 2 in: 3 cu ft bags | 3 in: 2 cu ft bags | 3 in: 3 cu ft bags |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50 sq ft | 5 | 3 | 7 | 5 |
| 100 sq ft | 9 | 6 | 13 | 9 |
| 200 sq ft | 17 | 12 | 25 | 17 |
| 400 sq ft | 34 | 23 | 50 | 34 |
| 1000 sq ft | 84 | 56 | 125 | 84 |
Bags or bulk?
- Bulk mulch by the cubic yard is usually cheaper once you need more than about two yards.
- Bagged mulch is easier to carry in a car, and you can buy exactly the count you want.
- Compare cost per cubic foot, not per bag, since bag sizes differ. Divide the price by the bag's cubic feet.
- Use the mulch calculator to find the bed volume first.
Frequently asked questions
How many bags of mulch are in a cubic yard?
13.5 bags of the common 2 cubic foot size, so buy 14. A 3 cubic foot bag takes 9 bags, and a 1 cubic foot bag takes 27.
How many bags of mulch do I need for 100 square feet?
At 3 inches deep you need 25 cubic feet, which is 13 bags of 2 cubic foot mulch.
How much does a 2 cubic foot bag of mulch cover?
8 square feet at 3 inches deep, or 12 square feet at 2 inches.