Bagged instead
20 × 2-ft³ bag of mulch
EstimateYard · Mulch estimate · estimateyard.com
Landscaping · quantities & cost
Mulch calculator — cubic yards, bags & cost
Mulch and topsoil are sold by the cubic yard or the bag: length × width × depth ÷ 324 = cubic yards, and one yard covers 108 sq ft at 3 in. A typical 40 × 4 ft foundation bed at 3 in takes 1.5 yd³ — 20 bags, or one small bulk drop. Pick your material and dimensions for exact quantities and the bulk-vs-bagged call.
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Odd shapes: total sq ft ÷ length works too
Beds 2–3 · topsoil 4–6 · playground 6+
Remembered on this device
Your estimate 40 × 4 ft · 3 in · hardwood mulch
1.48yd³
= 40 ft³ over 160 sq ft
Bulk cost
$44–$81 + $50–$150 typical delivery
Bagged cost
$60–$140 no delivery to pay
Coverage check
1 yd³ covers 108 sq ft at 3 in
Under ~3 yards, bags from the store often beat a bulk-delivery fee — watch for 5-for-$10 bag sales in spring.
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Common landscaping jobs, worked out
| Project | Cubic yards | Bags | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Foundation beds · 40 × 4 ft · 3 in mulch | 1.48 yd³ | 20 (2-ft³) | Open › |
| Island bed · 12 × 8 ft · 3 in mulch | 0.89 yd³ | 12 (2-ft³) | Open › |
| Whole yard refresh · 1,000 sq ft · 2 in | 6.17 yd³ | 84 — go bulk | Open › |
| Playground · 20 × 20 ft · 6 in | 7.41 yd³ | 100 — go bulk | Open › |
| New lawn topsoil · 25 × 20 ft · 4 in | 6.17 yd³ | 223 (40-lb) — go bulk | Open › |
| Raised-bed topsoil · 8 × 4 ft · 10 in | 0.99 yd³ | 36 (40-lb) | Open › |
| Compost top-dress · 20 × 15 ft · 1 in | 0.93 yd³ | 25 (1-ft³) | Open › |
How this calculator works
Prices updated August 2026Volume: length (ft) × width (ft) × depth (in) ÷ 12 = cubic feet; ÷ 27 = cubic yards (the compact form: sq ft × depth ÷ 324). Bags: cubic feet ÷ bag size — 2 ft³ for mulch, ~0.75 ft³ for a 40-lb topsoil bag, 1 ft³ for compost. Coverage: one cubic yard covers 324 ÷ depth-in-inches sq ft. Mulch settles ~20% in the first weeks — for a guaranteed finished depth, order the next quarter-yard up.
Prices: August 2026 bulk ranges per yd³ — hardwood $30–$55, dyed $40–$75, screened topsoil $25–$50, compost $25–$50; Bulk delivery typically adds $50–$150 per load; many yards fold it in above 5+ yd³. Bag ranges: mulch $3–$7 (2 ft³), topsoil $2–$6 (40 lb), compost $4–$8 (1 ft³). Sources: LawnLove and HomeGuide 2026 mulch data. National ranges — your local yard's quote decides.
Common questions
How much does a yard of mulch cover?
One cubic yard covers 108 sq ft at 3 inches deep — or 162 sq ft at 2 in and 81 sq ft at 4 in. Formula: coverage = 324 ÷ depth in inches.
How many bags of mulch are in a cubic yard?
A cubic yard is 27 cubic feet = 13.5 of the standard 2-ft³ bags. At $3–$7 a bag that's $40–$95 per yard equivalent — bulk delivery usually wins above about 3 yards.
How deep should mulch be?
2–3 inches for beds — enough to suppress weeds and hold moisture, not so deep it suffocates roots. Keep it a few inches back from trunks and stems (no "mulch volcanoes"). Playground safety surfaces want 6+ in.
How much does mulch cost in 2026?
Bulk natural hardwood runs $30–$55 per cubic yard; dyed black/brown/red $40–$75. Delivery adds $50–$150. Bagged 2-ft³ mulch is $3–$7/bag — fine for small beds, 2–3× bulk cost at volume.
How many yards of topsoil do I need for a new lawn?
Grade 4–6 in of topsoil before seeding or sod: a 1,000 sq ft lawn at 4 in needs ~12.3 yd³. Bulk screened topsoil is $25–$50/yd³ — bagged 40-lb topsoil costs 3–6× as much per yard, so anything beyond a raised bed should come loose by the truckload.
Mulch or rock — which is cheaper long-term?
Mulch is cheaper up front but decomposes — plan a refresh every 1–2 years. Decorative rock costs 2–4× more installed and lasts decades. Price stone with the gravel calculator.