Cubic Yards of Mulch Calculator
Convert between square feet, cubic feet, cubic yards, and bag counts. Includes pickup-truck load math and the bulk-vs-bagged breakeven.
Enter dimensions above to see your mulch estimate.
Quick Conversion Reference
Cubic Yards to Square Feet (at common depths)
| Cubic Yards | At 2" | At 3" | At 4" |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 yd³ | 162 sq ft | 108 sq ft | 81 sq ft |
| 2 yd³ | 324 sq ft | 216 sq ft | 162 sq ft |
| 3 yd³ | 486 sq ft | 324 sq ft | 243 sq ft |
| 5 yd³ | 810 sq ft | 540 sq ft | 405 sq ft |
| 10 yd³ | 1,620 sq ft | 1,080 sq ft | 810 sq ft |
Bag Count Per Cubic Yard
| Bag Size | Bags per yd³ |
|---|---|
| 1 cu ft (small) | 27 |
| 2 cu ft (standard) | 14 |
| 3 cu ft (large) | 9 |
How Cubic Yards Are Sold
Bulk mulch is sold by the cubic yard at landscape suppliers, garden centers, and via direct dump-truck delivery. Pricing in 2026:
- Hardwood mulch: $25-$45/yd³ bulk
- Pine bark: $30-$45/yd³
- Cedar/cypress: $45-$55/yd³
- Dyed mulch: $35-$55/yd³ (color premium)
- Rubber mulch: $80-$100/yd³
- Stone/gravel: $40-$60/yd³
Delivery fees: $50-$100 per trip within 10 miles of supplier. Free delivery on large orders (typically 5+ yards).
Pickup Truck Load Math
Bulk mulch is heavy when wet. Don't overload your truck — both for legal weight limits and to avoid suspension damage.
| Truck | Cu Yd (level) | Cu Yd (heaped) | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Compact pickup (4 ft bed) | 0.5-0.75 | 1 | ~400-800 lbs |
| Mid-size pickup (5.5 ft bed) | 1 | 1.5 | ~800-1200 lbs |
| Full-size pickup (6.5 ft bed) | 1.25-1.5 | 2 | ~1,000-1,600 lbs |
| Full-size pickup (8 ft bed) | 1.5-2 | 3 | ~1,200-2,400 lbs |
| Heavy duty 1-ton | 2.5 | 4 | ~2,000-3,200 lbs |
Wet mulch weighs 30-50% more than dry. Check your truck's payload rating.
Bulk vs Bagged: When to Switch
The breakeven is around 3 cubic yards in most markets:
- Under 1 yard: Bags from a big-box store are easier and only slightly more per cubic foot.
- 1-3 yards: Mixed. Bulk requires a truck (yours or rental). Bags are easier to store but pricier.
- 3-5 yards: Bulk wins by ~30%. Worth getting a truck delivery.
- 5+ yards: Bulk is essentially mandatory. At 5 yards = 70+ standard bags, you don't want to haul them.
Tips for Buying Bulk Mulch
- Ask suppliers about minimum order. Some require 1 yard minimum, others 3-5 for free delivery.
- Get it dumped on a tarp if you can't move it immediately. Mulch in a heap can compress and start composting in days.
- Order early in spring — suppliers run pre-season specials in March-April.
- Confirm what's in the mulch — "hardwood" can mean anything from pure oak to construction debris. Ask.
- If you need it dyed, confirm the dye source (vegetable-based and iron-oxide are safe; CCA-treated pallet wood is not).
Frequently Asked Questions
How many cubic feet in a cubic yard of mulch?
27 cubic feet = 1 cubic yard. The math is 3 ft × 3 ft × 3 ft. A standard wheelbarrow holds 6-8 cubic feet, so 1 cubic yard = about 4 wheelbarrow loads.
How much area does 1 cubic yard of mulch cover?
At 3 inches deep (the standard residential depth), 1 cubic yard covers 108 sq ft (10×11 ft, give or take). At 2 inches deep: 162 sq ft. At 4 inches: 81 sq ft.
How many cubic yards fit in a pickup truck?
Standard 8-ft bed pickup: 1.5-2 cubic yards level loaded, up to 3 cubic yards heaped (with sideboards). Compact pickups: ~1 cubic yard level. Most suppliers will refuse to load more than the truck can legally haul.
When is bulk cheaper than bags?
Around 3 cubic yards is the typical breakeven. Below 3 yards, bags often work out cheaper after delivery fees. Above 3 yards, bulk wins by 30-50%. At 5+ yards, bulk is essentially mandatory — bags become impractical.
How many 2 cu ft bags = 1 cubic yard?
27 cu ft / 2 cu ft per bag = 14 bags per cubic yard (rounded up). For 3 cu ft bags: 9 bags. For 1 cu ft bags: 27 bags. Math: divide 27 by your bag size.
Should I order extra mulch for waste?
Yes — order 10-15% extra. Mulch compacts in delivery, spills during transport, and you'll need to top off any bare spots after the first rain. Better than running short halfway through.