Don’t Guess—Calculate the Right Amount of Mulch for Your Project

Planning a backyard project in Salt Lake City? Whether you’re refreshing flower beds, building a safe play area, or mulching walkways, knowing how much mulch you need is essential to avoid wasted material—and money.

At DIY Landscape Supply, we want to make bulk mulch shopping easy. Here’s your simple guide to estimating cubic yards of mulch—plus a few real-world examples.

Why It’s Important to Get the Mulch Volume Right

• Too little mulch = patchy coverage and poor weed control
• Too much mulch = unnecessary cost and potential root suffocation
• Just right = healthy plants, clean landscaping, and better moisture retention

Let’s break it down.

The Formula: Cubic Yards of Mulch

Here’s the basic formula to calculate cubic yards of mulch:

Length (ft) × Width (ft) × Depth (inches) ÷ 324 = Cubic Yards

Why 324?
There are 27 cubic feet in a yard (3×3×3), and 1 inch of depth over 1 sq ft = 1/12 ft. So:
27 ÷ (12 inches) = 324

Recommended Mulch Depths by Use

• Garden Beds: 2–3 inches
• Walkways: 3 inches
• Playgrounds: 6–12 inches (for safety fall zones)

Real-World Examples

Example 1: Garden Bed (10 ft x 15 ft at 3” depth)

10 × 15 × 3 ÷ 324 = 1.39 cubic yards
You’ll need ~1.5 yards of mulch

Example 2: Playground Area (12 ft x 12 ft at 6” depth)

12 × 12 × 6 ÷ 324 = 2.67 cubic yards
You’ll need ~3 yards of certified playground mulch

Example 3: Mulch Pathway (3 ft x 30 ft at 3” depth)

3 × 30 × 3 ÷ 324 = 0.83 cubic yards
You’ll need ~1 yard of mulch

Tip: Always Round Up

Mulch compresses over time. Round up to the nearest ½ yard to ensure full coverage.

Save on Delivery: $75 for Full Truck Orders

If you’re ordering 10+ yards, you qualify for $75 full truck delivery anywhere in Salt Lake, Utah, or Davis Counties. Ideal for large landscape beds or backyard renovations.

Shop mulch products and schedule delivery now

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How much area does 1 yard of mulch cover?
A: 1 cubic yard of mulch covers:

• 100 sq ft at 3” depth
• 162 sq ft at 2” depth

Q: Should I lay anything under mulch?
A: For beds: use mulch directly on soil. For walkways: consider a weed barrier or landscape fabric underneath.

Q: What if my area isn’t a perfect rectangle?
A: Break it into smaller rectangles, triangles, or circles. Calculate each area separately and then combine.

Q: Can you help me figure it out?
A: Yes! Contact us and we’ll walk you through your project and volume estimate.

Ready to Mulch? Let’s Deliver

Don’t get stuck mid-project with too little mulch—or pay too much for extra. Use this guide to calculate exactly what you need, then enjoy fast, affordable delivery from DIY Landscape Supply.

Explore wood mulch and playground mulch now and schedule your $75 full truck delivery today.