How much mulch do you need for 1,000 square feet?

Covering 1,000 square feet (for example a 100×10 ft bed) with mulch 3 inches deep takes 9.26 cubic yards — that's 125 bags of 2 cu ft or 84 bags of 3 cu ft. At 2 inches you need 6.17 yards.

Change the numbers

The calculator below is pre-filled for this project. Adjust any value — including feet and inches — and the results update instantly.

in
sq ft
Add prices to estimate cost (optional)
$
$

Enter today’s prices from your store or supplier; we never guess prices for you.

Several beds? Add up their square footage and use “Total area”.

Your results

Mulch needed9.26 cu yd
2 cu ft bags125
3 cu ft bags84
Cubic feet250 cu ft
One cubic yard covers108 sq ft at this depth
How much mulch do you need for 1,000 square feet — diagram

Mulch for 1,000 sq ft at every depth

DepthCubic yards2 cu ft bags3 cu ft bags
1 in3.094228
2 in6.178456
3 in9.2612584
4 in12.35167112

Bags or bulk?

At 9.3 cubic yards, buying bulk from a landscape yard is usually far cheaper than 125 bags. A full-size pickup bed typically holds 1.5–2 cubic yards of mulch, so delivery may be easier than hauling it yourself.

The math

1,000 sq ft × 3 in ÷ 12 = 250 cu ft 250 ÷ 27 = 9.26 cu yd 250 ÷ 2 cu ft = 125 bags (rounded up)

Common questions

How many bags of mulch for 1,000 square feet?

125 bags of 2 cu ft at 3 inches deep, or 84 bags at 2 inches.

How many yards of mulch for 1,000 square feet?

9.26 cubic yards at 3 inches, 6.17 at 2 inches.

Want the full method, tips and other sizes? See the mulch calculator guide.

Last reviewed November 1, 2026. Results are estimates — confirm with your supplier.

Similar sizes

400 sq ft500 sq ft600 sq ft800 sq ft1,200 sq ft1,500 sq ft2,000 sq ft2,500 sq ft

Related calculators

Raised Bed Soil CalculatorCubic feet, yards and bags of soil to fill one or more raised beds.Gravel CalculatorTons and cubic yards of gravel, crushed stone or sand for driveways and paths.Sod CalculatorRolls and pallets of sod for a new lawn.