Mulch Coverage Chart
One cubic yard of mulch covers about 108 square feet at a 3-inch depth. The math: a cubic yard is 27 cubic feet, so coverage = 27 ÷ depth in feet. Here is the full chart for common depths.
| Depth | 1 cubic yard covers | One 2 cu ft bag covers |
|---|---|---|
| 1 inch | 324 sq ft | 24 sq ft |
| 2 inches | 162 sq ft | 12 sq ft |
| 3 inches | 108 sq ft | 8 sq ft |
| 4 inches | 81 sq ft | 6 sq ft |
How to use the chart
Measure your bed's area in square feet (length × width), pick a depth, and divide the area by the coverage number. Example: a 20 × 15 ft area at 3 inches is 300 ÷ 108 ≈ 2.8 cubic yards — order 3 yards.
For exact bag counts and metric units, use the mulch calculator — it does the division and rounding for you.
Bulk vs. bagged mulch
Bulk mulch by the cubic yard is usually the better deal beyond roughly one yard (about 14 standard bags), but bags are easier to move and store. Many suppliers offer free or cheap delivery above 3–5 yards, which shifts the math further toward bulk for bigger projects.
Frequently asked questions
How much mulch do I need for 500 square feet?
At the recommended 3-inch depth, 500 sq ft needs about 4.6 cubic yards of mulch (500 ÷ 108). At 2 inches, about 3.1 cubic yards.
How many bags of mulch are in a cubic yard?
A cubic yard equals 13.5 standard 2 cu ft bags, or 9 of the large 3 cu ft bags.
What depth of mulch is best?
Use 2–3 inches for most beds. Less than 2 inches lets weeds through; more than 4 inches can hold too much moisture against stems and roots.
Last reviewed on 2026-07-02. Planning estimates only — coverage varies with mulch type and how evenly it is spread.