Concrete & Masonry
Calculate landscaping mulch, topsoil, and garden bed depth in cubic yards, cubic feet, 2 cu ft and 3 cu ft retail bags, and bulk truckloads.
Enter garden bed length, width, and desired mulch depth. The calculator figures cubic feet, cubic yards, retail bags (2 cu ft and 3 cu ft), and estimated bulk delivery weight.
Calculation and worked example reviewed 2026-11-14. See our calculation methodology.
Volume: 75 cu ft net (2.78 cu yd) at 3" depth + 10% settling allowance.
Retail packaging: 42 bags (2 cu ft) or 28 bags (3 cu ft) · Bulk delivery: ~2444 lbs (1.22 tons).
Formula and example
This estimator converts your entered jobsite inputs (garden bed length, garden bed width, mulch or soil depth, material type, settling & edging allowance) into consistent US trade units, computes the exact geometric baseline first, and then applies any selected waste or order allowance so you can verify both numbers before purchasing materials.
where:
Bed area = length × width; net cubic feet = area × (depth in ÷ 12); order cubic feet = net cu ft × (1 + waste% ÷ 100); order cubic yards = order cu ft ÷ 27; 2 cu ft bags = ceil(order cu ft ÷ 2); 3 cu ft bags = ceil(order cu ft ÷ 3); bulk tons = order cubic yards × (density lbs/yd³ ÷ 2000).
A 30 ft × 10 ft garden bed (300 sq ft) with 3 inches of shredded bark mulch and 10% settling allowance requires 82.5 cu ft (3.06 cubic yards). Order 42 bags (2 cu ft each), 28 bags (3 cu ft each), or approximately 1.2 US tons in bulk.
Estimates based on 27 cu ft per cubic yard and standard retail packaging sizes.
| Bed Size & Area | Cubic Yards Needed | 2 cu ft Bags | 3 cu ft Bags |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 ft × 10 ft (100 sq ft) | 1.02 cu yd (27.5 cu ft) | 14 bags | 10 bags |
| 20 ft × 10 ft (200 sq ft) | 2.04 cu yd (55.0 cu ft) | 28 bags | 19 bags |
| 30 ft × 10 ft (300 sq ft) | 3.06 cu yd (82.5 cu ft) | 42 bags | 28 bags |
| 50 ft × 10 ft (500 sq ft) | 5.09 cu yd (137.5 cu ft) | 69 bags | 46 bags |
Assumes rectangular or uniform planar garden beds on level grade. Deep settling in wet climates, sloped embankments, or heavy planting soil compaction may require up to 15% to 20% additional material.
For standard landscape and flower beds, maintain a 2- to 3-inch layer of mulch. A 1-inch layer is ideal for annual top-dressing to freshen color. Avoid depths greater than 4 inches, as thick mulch can suffocate plant root systems and block water penetration.
There are exactly 27 cubic feet in one cubic yard. Therefore, one cubic yard equals 13.5 two-cubic-foot bags (purchase 14 bags) or exactly 9 three-cubic-foot bags.
If your landscape project requires less than 2 cubic yards (under 27 two-cubic-foot bags), buying bagged mulch at a home improvement center is usually faster and cheaper. For larger jobs requiring 3 or more cubic yards, bulk delivery from a local landscape supply yard typically saves 30% to 50%.
Never pile mulch directly against tree bark ('mulch volcanoes'). Maintain a 3-inch mulch-free collar around tree trunks to prevent trapped moisture, bark rot, fungal infections, and rodent damage.
Method references: ISA: International Society of Arboriculture mulching guide