To calculate how many cubic yards of mulch you need, follow these steps:
- Measure the area to be mulched : Determine the length and width of the area in feet. Multiply these to get the square footage.
- Decide the desired depth of mulch : Usually, mulch is spread 2 to 4 inches deep.
- Use the formula to calculate cubic yards :
Cubic yards of mulch=Area in sq. ft×Depth in inches324\text{Cubic yards of mulch}=\frac{\text{Area in sq. ft}\times \text{Depth in inches}}{324}Cubic yards of mulch=324Area in sq. ft×Depth in inches
This formula works because 1 cubic yard covers 324 square feet at a 1-inch depth. For example, if you want a 3-inch depth, multiply the area by 3 and then divide by 324
. Alternatively, you can calculate volume in cubic feet first:
- Volume (cubic feet) = Length (ft) × Width (ft) × Depth (ft) (where Depth in feet = Depth in inches ÷ 12)
- Then convert cubic feet to cubic yards by dividing by 27 (since 1 cubic yard = 27 cubic feet)
Example : For a 100 sq. ft. area at 3 inches depth:
- Volume = 100 × (3 ÷ 12) = 25 cubic feet
- Cubic yards = 25 ÷ 27 ≈ 0.93 cubic yards
Additional tips :
- For irregular shapes, break the area into rectangles or circles, calculate each separately, then add totals
- Mulch is often sold in bags (commonly 2 cubic feet per bag). To convert cubic yards to bags, multiply cubic yards by 13.5 (for 2 cu. ft bags)
- It's good to buy a little extra mulch to account for settling or uneven coverage
In summary, measure your area, decide on depth, then use the formula above to find how many cubic yards of mulch you need.
