How Much Mulch Is Needed in a Yard?

Basic Mulch Calculations

• Use the dimensions of the space to calculate its square footage. For square plots, multiplying the length of the area by the width will give you this information. Take the square footage and multiply it by the desired depth in inches. Finally divide this number by 324. The resulting figure is the approximate number of cubic yards needed.

Bag Calculation

• A typical bag of store-bought mulch contains three cubic feet worth of ground cover. Since a cubic yard equates to approximately 27 cubic feet, you'll need nine of these bags for every cubic yard of coverage your outdoor area requires.

Online Tools

• Instead of making your own mulch estimates, you can turn to online calculators for help. When you input the dimensions of your yard and select the required depth, these programs calculate the amount of mulch you need.