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Mulch Calculator

Estimate mulch cubic yards and bag counts from bed area, depth, and waste.

Reviewed
2026-09-05
Units
US + metric

Calculated result / live

1.02 yd³

Order 1.02 yd³ of mulch; the estimate includes 10% waste and weighs about 815 lb.

10.00 ft × 10.00 ft area, 3.0 in installed depth, 800 lb/yd³ (475 kg/m³), and 10% waste.

Input panel

Project measurements

Secondary quantities
Base volume25.00 ft³
Ordered volume1.02 yd³ / 0.78 m³
Planning weight815 lb / 370 kg
Density source800 lb/yd³; 475 kg/m³

Calculation trace

Formula with your numbers

10.00 ft × 10.00 ft × 3.0 in ÷ 12 = 25.00 ft³; × (1 + 10 ÷ 100) ÷ 27 = 1.02 yd³

1.02 yd³
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What this mulch calculator calculates

A 100 ft² bed at 3 in depth needs 25 ft³, or 0.93 yd³, before waste. The mulch density is only used when you need an approximate weight.

Formula

Area × depth ÷ 12 ÷ 27 = cubic yards; divide by bag volume and round up.

Worked example

At 10% waste, the 100 ft² bed needs 1.02 yd³. A supplier selling 2 ft³ bags would require 14 bags after rounding.

Ordering decision

Mulch settles and moisture changes weight. Order by volume when the supplier sells bulk mulch by the yard.

The page cites the applicable Uzi Tools reference table beside the calculator. Product labels, current editions, local code, and a licensed professional govern structural, electrical, and life-safety work.

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How to use it

  1. Enter the measured dimensions and keep the displayed units beside each field.
  2. Review the mulch depth and bag count result and the substituted formula before ordering.
  3. Adjust waste for the layout, cut pattern, product package, and site conditions.
  4. Copy or print the material list, then verify the cited product data and local requirements.
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Mulch depth and bag count

This mulch calculator estimates cubic yards and bags for a landscape bed. Area, installed depth, bag volume, and waste matter more than the plant count.

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Limits and professional review

Measurements, product yield, waste, moisture, and site conditions can change the order quantity. Local code and a licensed professional govern structural and electrical work.

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Data sources

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Related calculations

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Same-project tools

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Questions specific to this estimate