Mulch calculator for Oregon
Plan each landscape bed in bags or yards, with depth recommendations for healthy planting areas.
Enter your project dimensions
There are 27 cubic feet in a cubic yard, the same volume as exactly 13.5 bags holding 2-cubic-foot each from a garden center. That conversion is the main job of this calculator. Put in the bed dimensions and chosen depth to find the bulk cubic-yard total and its bag equivalent before making a store trip. Shredded hardwood is light at around 600 lb per yard, so mulch is priced and delivered by volume, not weight.
Figure mulch for planting beds
- Record the dimensions of every bed in feet, then combine the totals. For round beds, take the diameter and use circle mode to calculate area.
- Refreshing an existing layer calls for 2 inches. Set new or exposed beds at 3 inches. More than 4 inches can limit the air available to roots.
- Use the cubic-yard figure for bulk material, then use 13.5 bags per yard to compare it with store bags.
Bags (2 cu ft) = cubic yards × 13.5
Mulch coverage guide
| 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 amounts
| 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 |
Bulk versus bags: cost comparison
Ten bags marks the usual break point. Bags work well below that amount; past it, bulk is generally the lower-cost choice, and free delivery means there is no need to rent a truck. Haul 15 bags home first, and the comparison becomes clear in the parking lot. Have one yard delivered, cover any remainder with a tarp, and the job is finished.
Mulch depths for plant care
- After loosening last year's mulch, place 2 inches over that existing layer.
- For uncovered ground, spread 3 inches. This layer limits weed sprouting and helps conserve moisture through July.
- Leave a clear 3 to 6 inches between mulch and a tree trunk. Bark can rot when mulch rests against it, and rodents can shelter there. Shape the mulch as a level donut rather than a volcano.
- Limit mulch depth to 4 inches in all areas. A thick layer that remains wet can leave roots short of air.
- Use playground-certified chip, not landscape shred, when surfacing play areas; depth should be no less than 6 inches.
Mulch type options
The calculator is set for shredded hardwood, which mats together and tends to hold on light slopes. Chips and nuggets can remain in place a season or two longer, though hard rain can float and move them. Dyed mulch retains its color while decomposing more slowly. The required volume stays the same across these choices, so type affects appearance and refresh timing rather than order quantity.
Preparing for delivery
Three yards forms a pile roughly as large as a small car. Open up a parking-spot-sized section of driveway, lay down a tarp, and have the load dumped there because shredded mulch can stain new concrete. Get it spread within a week or two. If a large pile remains for a month, the center may heat and sour. Allow 30 to 45 minutes of wheelbarrow work for each yard, reserving the last half-yard for the neglected beds behind the garage.
Common mulch quantity questions
How many mulch bags equal a cubic yard?
How many cubic feet does a yard of mulch contain?
How much shredded mulch is needed?
What area will a yard of mulch cover?
What is the weight of a yard of mulch?
What does a yard of mulch cost?
Will mulch bring in termites?
Is it okay to add mulch over old mulch?
More calculators
Avoid filling a 27-bag cart.
Order bulk shredded hardwood by the yard for loose driveway delivery, with delivery free.
