Mulch & Soil Calculator
Calculate cubic yards and 40 lb bags of mulch or soil needed for a landscaping area at a specified depth.
Results
What is it?
The Mulch & Soil Calculator converts a rectangular area and depth into cubic yards (for bulk delivery) and 40 lb bag counts (for store pickup). It applies to wood chip mulch, bark mulch, garden soil, compost, and gravel.
How to use
1. Enter the length and width of the area in feet. 2. Enter the desired depth in inches (2–3 inches is ideal for mulch; 4–6 inches for new garden beds). 3. Order by the cubic yard if the quantity exceeds 2–3 yards — bulk is significantly cheaper.
Example scenario
A 20 × 10 ft flower bed needs 3 inches of mulch: cubic feet = 20 × 10 × (3/12) = 50 ft³. Cubic yards = 50/27 ≈ 1.85 yd³. Bags = ceil(50/0.75) = 67 bags (40 lb each).
Pro tip
One bulk yard of mulch covers roughly 108 ft² at 3 inches deep. Bulk delivery typically starts at 1–2 yard minimums and becomes cost-effective around 3+ yards. Don't apply mulch thicker than 4 inches — deep mulch suffocates roots and creates a hiding place for pests.