This mulch calculator works out the number of bags for your bed, or how much bulk mulch to order — with the cost of each. No sign-up. The working is shown under every number.
Quick example: a 20 × 5 ft bed at 3 in deep needs 13 bags of mulch ($52.00) or 1.0 cubic yard in bulk ($45.00) at the example prices.
| Item | Buy | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Estimated total | $0.00 |
The two lines are alternatives — buy one or the other, not both. Bags suit small beds; bulk usually wins above about 10 bags.
Estimate only — not a guarantee. Mistakes are possible, so always check the quantities with your supplier or a builder before you buy or build.
At 3 in deep, a 20 × 5 ft bed needs 25.0 cu ft of mulch, which this calculator shows as 13 bags of 2 cu ft — $52.00 at the example bag price of $4.
The same 20 × 5 ft bed at 3 in deep is 0.93 cubic yards exactly, and bulk orders are rounded up to the nearest half yard, so the calculator shows 1.0 cubic yard — $45.00 at the example bulk price of $45 per cubic yard.
This calculator offers 2 in for a top-up over old mulch, 3 in as the standard depth for weed control, and 4 in for new beds. The default setting is 3 in — change the depth in the calculator and the bag count updates.
At the example prices on this page, the 20 × 5 ft bed at 3 in deep costs $52.00 in bags or $45.00 in bulk. The calculator's own note gives the rule of thumb: bags suit small beds, and bulk usually wins above about 10 bags.
| Bed size | Bags (2 cu ft) | Bag cost | Bulk mulch | Bulk cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 × 5 ft | 7 | $28.00 | 0.5 cu yd | $22.50 |
| 20 × 5 ft | 13 | $52.00 | 1.0 cu yd | $45.00 |
| 20 × 10 ft | 25 | $100.00 | 2.0 cu yd | $90.00 |
Bulk amounts are rounded up to the nearest 0.5 cubic yard, and costs use the example prices above. Bags and bulk are alternatives — buy one, not both.
These figures are planning estimates only — not a guarantee and not professional advice. Mistakes are possible, including through an error in this calculator. Always check the quantities, sizes, spacings and depths with your supplier, a licensed builder, and your local building code before you buy materials or start work. The owner of this site accepts no responsibility or liability for any loss, cost, damage, injury, wasted material or failed inspection that results from using these estimates. Prices are examples to start from, not live prices or quotes.