Mulch calculator for Alaska
Get the bag or yard amount for each landscape bed, with depth advice for plant health.
Enter your project dimensions
One cubic yard holds 27 cubic feet, equal to 13.5 bags sized 2 cubic feet each at the garden center. That conversion handles most of the calculation. Put in your bed dimensions and depth below to see the bulk cubic-yard total alongside its bag equivalent, making a store-trip comparison easier. Shredded hardwood mulch is light at around 600 lb per yard, which is why it is sold by volume and bulk delivery is not based on weight.
Estimating mulch for planting beds
- List the dimensions of every bed in feet, then combine the totals. For a round bed, take the diameter and use circle mode to calculate its area.
- Use 2 inches to freshen an existing mulch layer or 3 inches on new and bare beds. Roots can begin losing air beyond 4 inches.
- Use the output as cubic yards when buying bulk material, or compare it with bagged material using 13.5 bags per yard.
Bags (2 cu ft) = cubic yards × 13.5
Coverage by depth
| Depth | 1 cubic yard covers | 10 bags (2 cu ft) cover |
|---|---|---|
| 1 inch | 324 sq ft | 240 sq ft |
| 2 inches | 162 sq ft | 120 sq ft |
| 3 inches | 108 sq ft | 80 sq ft |
| 4 inches | 81 sq ft | 60 sq ft |
Common order sizes
| Project | Typical size | Depth | Cubic yards | ≈ Bags |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Foundation beds along the house | 40 x 3 ft | 3" | 1.1 yd³ | 15 bags |
| Four tree rings | 4 ft across each | 3" | 0.5 yd³ | 6 bags |
| All beds, average yard | ≈ 500 sq ft | 3" | 4.6 yd³ | 63 bags |
| Annual refresh of the same beds | ≈ 500 sq ft | 1.5" | 2.3 yd³ | 31 bags |
| Playground surface | 15 x 15 ft | 6" | 4.2 yd³ | 56 bags |
Comparing bulk and bag costs
Ten bags marks the changeover. Bags are handy below that amount. Above it, bulk is generally less expensive, and free delivery eliminates the need to rent a truck. If you already brought home 15 bags, compare that with a delivered yard. Put a tarp under the pile and save the remaining half-yard for missed beds.
Mulch depths for plant health
- After raking last year's layer loose, add 2 inches over it.
- Apply 3 inches over exposed soil to suppress weed sprouting and help the ground retain moisture through July.
- Keep mulch 3 to 6 inches back from a tree trunk. Material against the bark can cause rot and give rodents cover. Build a level donut shape, not a volcano.
- Do not exceed 4 inches in any location. A deep wet layer deprives roots of air.
- Use at least 6 inches for playground cover, using chips intended for playground surfaces instead of landscape shred.
Selecting mulch material
This calculator starts with shredded hardwood. Its fibers lock together, helping it stay in place on gentle slopes. Chips and nuggets break down more slowly, but hard rain can make them float or spread. Dyed mulch keeps its color longer and also breaks down at a slower rate. Quantity is calculated the same way for each option, so material choice affects appearance and replacement timing, not the amount ordered.
Preparing for delivery
Three yards of mulch makes a pile roughly as large as a small car. Leave a parking-space-sized area of driveway clear, put down a tarp, and have the load dumped there because shredded mulch can mark fresh concrete. Get it spread before it sits for a month, since a large pile can heat up and sour inside. Plan for 30-45 minutes with a wheelbarrow for each yard, then save the last half-yard for the overlooked beds behind the garage.
Common questions about mulch quantities
How many mulch bags make a cubic yard?
How many cubic feet make up a mulch yard?
How much mulch should I order?
What area will a yard of mulch cover?
What does one yard of mulch weigh?
What is the price for a yard of mulch?
Will mulch draw termites?
Can fresh mulch be added over old mulch?
More calculators
Avoid filling a cart with 27 bags.
Order bulk shredded hardwood by the yard for driveway delivery, free.
