Measured right.
Bought once.

A tape measure, your project, and a number you can trust.

6 shapes Bags & yards Cost compare Python Decimal
Yard plot with a mulch bed, gravel path and soil pile, labeled with length, width and depth measurements.
Mulch Gravel & Stone Soil & Dirt Cubic Yard

Material calculators.

14 calculators · 4 categories
Pricing verified
Home Depot & Lowe’s US, refreshed April 2026
Math checked
Python Decimal — no floating-point drift
Sources cited
.edu & .gov extensions, visible in-article
Estimates only
Add 10% overage — we explain why
Every number on this site is traceable to a source, a formula, and a price check. That’s the deal. Read our methodology →

Mulch guides.

6 guides · updated 2026
How-to

How to Calculate How Much Mulch You Need

The full method — measure, convert, add overage — worked out on a real 12 × 4 ft flower bed with the math shown at every step.

8 min readRead →
Comparison

Bulk vs. Bagged Mulch: Which Should You Buy?

Bulk runs about 35% cheaper per cubic yard — before delivery. Here’s where the crossover happens at 2026 US pricing.

8 min readRead →
Reference

How Much Does a Yard of Mulch Cover?

324 sq ft at 1″, 108 sq ft at 3″, 81 sq ft at 4″. With a conversion table for every common depth between.

8 min readRead →
Reference

How Many Bags of Mulch in a Cubic Yard?

13.5 bags of 2 cu ft — and why the half-bag is exactly the reason every calculator here defaults to +10% overage.

8 min readRead →
Reference

How Long Does Mulch Last?

Undyed hardwood: 2–3 seasons. Dyed black: 12 months of color, same decay rate. Pine bark nuggets outlast them all.

7 min readRead →
Comparison

Mulch vs. Rock: Which Is Better for Your Yard?

Rock is cheaper over 10 years. Mulch is better for plants. The honest trade-off at the three-, five- and ten-year mark.

7 min readRead →