How much mulch do you need for 1,500 square feet?

Covering 1,500 square feet (for example a 75×20 ft bed) with mulch 3 inches deep takes 13.89 cubic yards — that's 188 bags of 2 cu ft or 125 bags of 3 cu ft. At 2 inches you need 9.26 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.

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

Your results

Mulch needed13.89 cu yd

2 cu ft bags188

3 cu ft bags125

Cubic feet375 cu ft

One cubic yard covers108 sq ft at this depth

How much mulch do you need for 1,500 square feet — diagram

Mulch for 1,500 sq ft at every depth

Depth	Cubic yards	2 cu ft bags	3 cu ft bags
1 in	4.63	63	42
2 in	9.26	125	84
3 in	13.89	188	125
4 in	18.52	250	167

Bags or bulk?

At 13.9 cubic yards, buying bulk from a landscape yard is usually far cheaper than 188 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

1,500 sq ft × 3 in ÷ 12 = 375 cu ft 375 ÷ 27 = 13.89 cu yd 375 ÷ 2 cu ft = 188 bags (rounded up)

Common questions

How many bags of mulch for 1,500 square feet?

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

How many yards of mulch for 1,500 square feet?

13.89 cubic yards at 3 inches, 9.26 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.

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