How Many Bags of Mulch Are in a Cubic Yard? Coverage Chart
Mulch is sold in bags and in bulk, and the two use different units. A cubic yard is 27 cubic feet, so the number of bags in a yard depends on how big each bag is.
Bags per cubic yard
| Bag size | Bags per cubic yard |
|---|---|
| 1 cu ft | 27 |
| 1.5 cu ft | 18 |
| 2 cu ft | 13.5 |
| 3 cu ft | 9 |
The bag size is printed on the front of the bag. Round up to whole bags when you buy.
How far does one bag go?
Divide the bag's volume by the depth in feet.
| Mulch depth | 2 cu ft bag | 3 cu ft bag |
|---|---|---|
| 2 in | 12 sq ft | 18 sq ft |
| 3 in | 8 sq ft | 12 sq ft |
| 4 in | 6 sq ft | 9 sq ft |
Bags needed by bed size
These figures assume a 3-inch layer and 2 cubic foot bags.
| Bed area | Cubic yards | Bags |
|---|---|---|
| 50 sq ft | 0.46 | 7 |
| 100 sq ft | 0.93 | 13 |
| 200 sq ft | 1.85 | 25 |
| 400 sq ft | 3.70 | 50 |
Our mulch calculator works out the number for any bed shape, using length, width and depth.
Bags or bulk?
Compare the price per cubic foot, not the price per bag. For example, a $4 bag of 2 cubic feet costs $2 per cubic foot, which is $54 per cubic yard. Bulk mulch at a price per yard, plus a delivery fee, may come out lower once you need more than about two cubic yards. These prices are only an example, so check what your stores charge.
Choosing the depth
Most beds do well with 2 to 3 inches. Our guide on how deep mulch should be covers depth, mulch types and when to refresh a bed.
Common mistakes
- Comparing the price of a bag to the price of a yard without converting
- Ordering for a deeper layer than the plants need
- Forgetting to subtract large areas such as stepping stones or a tree base
- Piling mulch against trunks and stems
Find the area, pick a depth, convert to cubic feet, and divide by the size of the bag. That tells you exactly how many bags to carry out of the store.
Enter the size of your garden bed and the depth you want to see how much mulch to buy.
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