Free Calculator
Mulch Calculator — How Much Mulch Do I Need?
Cubic yards and delivered cost for beds, tree rings, and playgrounds.
3. Enter Dimensions
Your order summary lands here
As soon as the dimensions are valid, you will see the recommended quantity, truckload count, and the ZIP pricing step.
Use this calculator to size mulch for landscape beds, tree rings, and play areas. Mulch is sold by the cubic yard. Florida ZIPs return a live delivered price.
How to use this mulch calculator
- 1
Measure the bed
Length × width in feet. For tree rings, use the circle option and the ring diameter (typically 4–6 ft).
- 2
Pick the depth
Beds and trees: 3 inches (this calculator defaults to 3"). Playground EWF: 6–12 inches for safe fall heights.
- 3
Pick the mulch type
Brown, black, or red shredded for color match. Pine bark nuggets for slower decomposition. Playground EWF (engineered wood fiber) for safe play surfaces.
- 4
Enter your ZIP
Florida ZIPs return delivered pricing per cubic yard. Mulch is light — most loads come on a smaller truck.
How the math works
Volume in cubic yards equals Length × Width × Depth ÷ 27. Mulch is loose by nature — the recommendation already accounts for normal settling.
Mulch density runs roughly 400–800 lbs per cubic yard depending on type and moisture. We price and recommend by volume because that is the unit suppliers actually deliver in.
Playground EWF needs more depth than landscape mulch. ASTM F1292 fall-attenuation specs call for 6 inches for falls up to 5 feet and 9 inches for 7 foot falls.
How much does mulch cover?
Quick reference for how much area one ton and one cubic yard cover at common depths.
| Depth | 1 ton covers | 1 cubic yard covers |
|---|---|---|
| 1" | — sold by yard — | 324 sq ft |
| 2" | — sold by yard — | 162 sq ft |
| 3" | — sold by yard — | 108 sq ft |
| 4" | — sold by yard — | 81 sq ft |
| 6" | — sold by yard — | 54 sq ft |
Mulch is sold by the cubic yard. Coverage values shown are for loose mulch — expect 10–15% settling in the first month.
Typical quantities by project
| Project | Depth | Area | Estimate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Front bed 200 sq ft | 3" | 200 sq ft | ~2 cubic yards |
| Tree ring 6 ft diameter | 3" | 28 sq ft | ~0.3 cubic yards |
| Playground 20 ft × 20 ft | 9" | 400 sq ft | ~11 cubic yards EWF |
| Whole-yard refresh 1,500 sq ft | 2" | 1,500 sq ft | ~9 cubic yards |
| Around shrubs 100 sq ft | 3" | 100 sq ft | ~1 cubic yard |
Common ordering mistakes
From real deliveries, these are the mistakes we see most often. Avoiding any one of them saves a callback order.
Mulch too thin
A 1-inch mulch layer breaks down by midsummer and exposes the soil. 3 inches is the standard, top off every 1–2 years.
Mulch volcano against trunks
Piled mulch against a tree trunk rots the bark and invites disease. Keep mulch 2–3 inches away from the trunk and shape a flat ring, not a cone.
Mulch too deep over roots
More than 4 inches suffocates surface roots and holds too much moisture. Stop at 3 inches over established plantings.
Wrong mulch for playgrounds
Landscape mulch is not the same as playground EWF. EWF is graded for safety and fall attenuation. Do not substitute landscape mulch for play areas.
Forgetting edging
Mulch without an edge migrates into lawns and walkways. Add steel, brick, or trenched edging at the bed perimeter.
Frequently asked questions
Ready to see delivered pricing?
Jump back to the calculator to price the exact quantity for your ZIP, or request a manual quote if the project needs special handling.