A fresh layer of mulch can do wonders for your landscape. It gives your yard a clean, well-maintained look while helping to retain moisture, suppress weeds, and prevent soil erosion. But figuring out how much mulch to buy can be tricky. Buy too much, and you risk piling it too deep, which can suffocate your plants. Buy too little, and you may leave patches exposed, allowing weeds to creep in and reducing the benefits of mulching.
So how do you determine the right amount of mulch for your yard? It comes down to two key factors: the size of the area you’re covering and the type of mulch you’re using.
The texture of your mulch plays a role in how much you’ll need. Finer, organic mulches like compost or shredded bark provide a dense, shallow cover and are typically spread in thinner layers. Coarser mulches, such as bark chips, allow more air circulation around plants but require a deeper layer to provide full coverage.
Need help picking the right mulch? Check out our guide to mulch types we offer to find the best match for your landscaping goals.
Start by measuring the area you plan to mulch. Multiply the length by the width to get the total square footage for each section, then add those numbers together for your total area.
Next, determine your desired mulch depth:
Now it’s time to calculate how much mulch you'll need. Use this formula:
(Square feet × Depth in inches) ÷ 324 = Cubic yards needed
Why 324? One cubic yard of mulch covers 324 square feet at 1 inch deep.
We’ve made it simple! Use our Materials Calculator to quickly find out how many cubic yards of mulch your yard needs. And if you still have questions, just contact us—we’re happy to help!
