How Many Bags of Mulch Are in a Yard?
Published 2026-01-22
One cubic yard of mulch equals 13.5 bags of 2 cubic-foot mulch, because a cubic yard holds 27 cubic feet and 27 ÷ 2 = 13.5. For 3 cubic-foot bags, a yard is 9 bags.
If you have ever stood in the garden aisle wondering whether to grab bags or call for a bulk drop, this is the number you need.
The answer
A cubic yard is 27 cubic feet. Divide by the bag size:
bags per yard = 27 ÷ bag size (cu ft)| Bag size | Bags per cubic yard |
|---|---|
| 1.5 ft³ | 18 |
| 2 ft³ | 13.5 |
| 3 ft³ | 9 |
Most bagged hardwood mulch in the U.S. is sold in 2 cubic-foot bags, so the common answer is 13.5 bags per yard.
How much do you need?
Coverage depends on depth. At the typical 3-inch mulch layer, one cubic yard covers about 108 ft². Enter your bed size below to get yards and bags at once:
- Cubic feet
- 25 ft³
- 2 ft³ bags
- 13 bags
Coverage per cubic yard by depth
| Mulch depth | Coverage per yard |
|---|---|
| 1 in | 324 ft² |
| 2 in | 162 ft² |
| 3 in | 108 ft² |
| 4 in | 81 ft² |
Bags or bulk?
- Under ~6 bags (about ½ yard): bags usually win — no delivery fee, no pile on the driveway.
- More than 1 yard: bulk delivery is typically cheaper per cubic foot and saves you splitting and hauling a dozen-plus bags.
- Tip from experience: mulch settles. Freshly spread 3 inches compacts toward 2.5 within a few weeks, so err slightly deep on your first application.
Related
Need the volume first? Use the cubic yard calculator. Filling beds with soil under the mulch? The soil calculator and topsoil calculator use the same volume math. Extension horticulture programs such as OSU Extension recommend 2–4 inches of mulch for most beds — deep enough to suppress weeds without smothering roots.