Yard · Landscaping
Figure mulch yards or bags from bed size, target depth, and already-down / existing depth (buy-depth = target − existing).
Buy-depth = target − already down. Ext. defaults 2–3 in.
Scenario templates
Area mode
Common depth presets
Optional prices (your yard)
Bed coverage diagram
Volume ≈ length × width × depth (same unit system). Diagram is schematic — not a site survey.
Order this (buy-depth + waste)
1.75 yd³
Rounded up to 0.25 yd · raw with waste 1.56 yd³
21 bags
At 2 ft³ each (rounded up)
Breakdown
Order round-up step
Keep mulch a few inches off trunks and stems — extension guides warn against “volcano mulching.”
Same area & waste — side-by-side from your current inputs (no second form).
Current buy-depth
1.75 yd³
21 bags
Full target depth
LEAST VOLUME
Fresh bed (no credit)
1.75 yd³
21 bags
Ignores already-down mulch
LEAST VOLUME
Buy-depth +1″
2.25 yd³
28 bags
Thicker top-up / bed
Static planning table — no waste. Multiply by your area ÷ 1000.
| Depth | yd³ / 1000 ft² | ft³ / 1000 ft² |
|---|---|---|
| 1 in | 3.09 | 83.3 |
| 2 in | 6.17 | 166.7 |
| 3 in | 9.26 | 250 |
| 4 in | 12.35 | 333.3 |
| 5 in | 15.43 | 416.7 |
| 6 in | 18.52 | 500 |
Buy-depth volume (target − already down), fresh-bed comparison, waste%, bag counts, optional bags↔bulk cost ledger from your prices, multi-bed area, coverage table, and pickup trips.
Does not replace
Supply yard
Starting points for planning — not a site-specific design. Footnotes point to sources on this page.
| Topic | Typical starting value | Source notes |
|---|---|---|
| Established landscape beds | 2–3 inches settled depth | Oklahoma State Extension; UF/IFAS Florida-Friendly Landscaping Principle 4; Penn State fruit-planting mulch guide. |
| Fine vs coarse texture | Fine ~2 in; coarse ~3 in (OSU) | Oklahoma State University Extension fact sheet. |
| Seedlings / small herbs | Often ≤ 1 inch | UF/IFAS ENH1361/EP625 — avoid smothering small plants. |
| Clearance at trunks | Leave inches to ~1 ft clear depending on plant size | UF/IFAS & Illinois Extension — no volcano mulching. |
| Illinois tree rings (broader range) | About 2–4 in depending on material | University of Illinois Extension proper mulching infosheet. |
Short DIY narratives. Numbers match the one-click scenario presets in the calculator (US units).
Measure each bed as a rectangle (or split odd shapes). Use 2″ refresh or 3″ new-bed presets when following extension practice. Deeper is not always better — Illinois Extension notes thick mats can reduce oxygen and water movement.
Bags are easy for small borders. Once you pass roughly a third of a cubic yard, compare the yard’s bulk price per cubic foot — bulk usually wins for full front beds. This calculator shows both so you can decide before the weekend rush. Prefer a dedicated landing with the ledger emphasized? See bags vs bulk mulch.
Same volume base as gravel: ft³ = L × W × D (in feet). Yards = ft³ ÷ 27. Bags = ceil(waste-adjusted ft³ ÷ bag size). Waste factor = 1 + waste%/100.
20 × 8 × 0.25 = 40 ft³ ≈ 1.48 yd³. With 5% waste → 1.56 yd³ or 21 bags of 2 ft³.
Enter target depth and “Already down” (existing thickness). The main result is buy-depth = target − existing (floored at 0), then yards/bags with waste. Fresh-bed volume stays visible for comparison. Extensions commonly recommend about 2–3 inches settled for landscape beds. Optional bag/bulk prices you enter drive the cheaper verdict — we do not publish national reference prices.
Measure each bed (or enter total sq ft / named beds). Set target depth and already-down thickness so you order buy-depth, not a full rebuild. Extensions commonly recommend about 2–3 inches settled for landscape beds.
Compare price per cubic foot. Bulk usually wins above roughly ⅓ cubic yard. Bags are convenient for small refresh strips; large front beds are almost always cheaper as bulk yards.
Multiple U.S. university extensions recommend about 2–3 inches for typical landscape beds. Keep mulch off trunks — volcano piles against bark are discouraged.
Piling mulch against the trunk. Extensions warn it traps moisture and can promote rot and pests — pull mulch back.
We cite extension services, manufacturer guidance, and municipal/IRC reprints. This is not legal advice, not a substitute for a licensed engineer or architect, and not approval from your Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ). Adopted codes and product warranties vary by place and year — verify before you buy or cut.
Extension guidance: mulch 2–3 in near plants; coarse ~3 in, fine ~2 in; avoid mounding against trunks.
Apply 2–3 in around established plants; seedlings/herbs often ≤1 in; leave space at trunks (no volcano mulching).
Keep a 2–3 in layer on plant beds; leave space around trunks.
Recommends roughly 2–4 in depending on material; keep mulch off trunks.
Settled mulch depth typically 2–3 in for weed control and moisture; keep away from stems.
Full site bibliography: Sources hub.
Yards, tons, density table, overage vs compaction, optional cost.
X/12, degrees, % slope, rafter teaser, pitch compare.
Line length & angle — not IRC span-table design.
Deck rise, treads, Standard/Flush mount, 3D stairs.
Stringer length + IRC R311.7 table on one screen.
