Mulch Calculator
Free mulch calculator. Instant cubic yards plus 2 ft³ bag counts for beds at 2–4 inch depth. No compaction needed. Last reviewed August 2026. Free, no sign-up.
How much does a cubic yard of mulch weigh?
One cubic yard of mulch weighs 800 lb (0.4 US tons).
| Depth | Coverage |
|---|---|
| 2 inches | 162 ft² |
| 3 inches | 108 ft² |
| 4 inches | 81 ft² |
One cubic yard of mulch = — × 80 lb bags.
One cubic yard of mulch is 0.8 half-ton pickup loads, or about 0.06 tandem-axle dump truck loads.
Mulch is the most-ordered landscape material by yard. A cubic yard of bark or wood-chip mulch weighs about 800 lb (0.4 US tons) — light enough that one yard is a manageable wheelbarrow load but heavy enough to be a real workout over a full weekend of spreading.
One yard of mulch covers 162 ft² at 2 in deep (the most common depth for landscape beds), 108 ft² at 3 in deep, or 81 ft² at 4 in deep. The calculator defaults to 2 inches because that's what most landscape professionals recommend for tree and shrub beds.
How much mulch do I need?
For a typical 500 ft² landscape bed at 2 inches:
- 500 × 2 ÷ 12 ÷ 27 = 3.09 yd³
Order 3.5 yd³ to allow for some settling and the edges where mulch drifts into the lawn. Many bagged-mulch consumers pay $4/bag for 2 ft³ bags, which works out to $54/yd³ — bulk mulch delivered is $35–$50/yd³ in most US markets. For anything over 1 yd³, bulk is dramatically cheaper.
Types of mulch
- Bark mulch (pine, cedar, hardwood) — the most common. Breaks down slowly, looks tidy, lasts 1–3 years.
- Wood chips — cheaper, often free from utility companies. Break down faster, can tie up nitrogen in the soil as they decompose.
- Cypress mulch — long-lasting, bug-resistant, more expensive. Florida-sourced cypress has sustainability concerns.
- Rubber mulch — doesn't break down, doesn't attract bugs, but doesn't feed the soil either. Often used in playgrounds.
- Stone / rock mulch — see the stone calculator. Permanent, doesn't need refreshing.
How deep should mulch be?
The general rule: 2–3 inches for landscape beds, 4 inches for trees, never piled against the trunk (the "mulch volcano" kills trees by keeping the bark wet and encouraging rot). Refresh mulch annually; don't keep adding layers year after year or it'll bury the root flare.
Mulch and weed control
Mulch suppresses weed germination by blocking light. It's not a weed killer — established weeds with deep roots will push right through 4 inches of mulch. For a new bed, lay landscape fabric (or 6+ layers of newspaper) under the mulch for a real weed barrier.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a yard of mulch weigh?
One cubic yard of mulch weighs about 800 lb (0.4 US tons) for bark or wood-chip mulch.
How many square feet does a yard of mulch cover?
One cubic yard of mulch covers 162 ft² at 2 in deep, 108 ft² at 3 in, or 81 ft² at 4 in.
How deep should mulch be?
2–3 inches is typical for landscape beds; 4 inches for trees (but not piled against the trunk).