Bagged mulch, bulk yards, one clear estimate
A mulch aisle can make a small garden project feel like mental math: 2 cubic foot bags, 3 cubic foot bags, half yards, delivery minimums, and a bed depth measured in inches. This converter turns bag sizes into cubic yards, estimates how many bags a project needs, and compares bagged mulch with a bulk delivery price so homeowners and small landscapers can plan with fewer surprises.
Interactive estimator
Enter a bag size and either a bag count or a bed size. The calculator uses $1\text{ cubic yard}=27\text{ cubic feet}$ and rounds bag purchases up to the next whole bag.
Fast reference
Use this chart when a store sign lists bag sizes but a landscape plan calls for cubic yards.
| Bag size | Bags per cubic yard | 10 bags equal | 20 bags equal |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5 cu ft | 18 bags | 0.56 yd³ | 1.11 yd³ |
| 2 cu ft | 13.5 bags | 0.74 yd³ | 1.48 yd³ |
| 3 cu ft | 9 bags | 1.11 yd³ | 2.22 yd³ |
For most established beds, 2 inches freshens the surface without burying plant crowns. New beds or very thin areas often use 3 inches. Around trees, keep mulch pulled back from the trunk so it forms a broad ring instead of a tight mound.
Bulk mulch often becomes attractive once the project is several cubic yards, especially if delivery can be shared across multiple beds. Bagged mulch can still be the better choice for small borders, tight storage, color matching, or projects spread across several weekends.
Measure bed area in square feet and desired depth in inches:
cubic yards = area × depth ÷ 324
The number 324 comes from 27 cubic feet in a cubic yard multiplied by 12 inches per foot.