Mulch Calculator {Automatically Calculate Mulch Volumes}

How much mulch do you need? This mulch calculator will automatically tell you.

And it will automatically provide you with a wide variety of outputs: cubic feet, yards, meters, and liters too.

Simply enter the width and length of the area where you are applying mulch, specify the depth of the mulch, and that’s it.

People typically apply anywhere from 1-inch of mulch to protect their garden beds to 6-inches or more if sheet mulching.

This mulch calculator is both USA-based and metric to make it easier. Just select which version you want by easily toggling back and forth.

(And check out my compost calculator for more handy gardening tools.)

What Is The Formula For Calculating Mulch?

First, measure the area you are applying mulch to.

In raised bed gardens this is very simple. But don’t worry if your numbers are only approximate due to irregular landscape shapes — it’s not that big of a deal.

And if you’re not applying mulch to the entire area, you can cut the amount in half.

My raised beds are 5 feet by 5 feet for example.

Next, you’ll need to add the depth of mulch you are applying.

I prefer to add a 2-inch layer of mulch over the entire surface of the bed to protect and slowly feed my soil and plants through the season.

The volume of mulch you require is the result of those three things multiplied together: the width, the length and the depth.

Make sure you are using the same unit of measurement or your results will not work.

What that means is that you have to convert the depth you want to feet (assuming you’re working in feet for the width and length.)

Multiplying feet by inches doesn’t work. You have to multiply feet by feet or inches by inches. 

The formula to convert inches to feet is: multiply by 0.0833 and if you’re applying 1 inch, that means your third number is simply 0.0833.

If you’re adding 2-inches that number becomes 2 x 0.0833 as demonstrated below.

Volume = width x length x depth

So 5 feet x 5 feet x 0.1666 = 4.17 ft³, 0.15 yd³, or 117.94 L

Or just use the automatic mulch calculator above instead — it’s easier.

For all the information you need on mulching in your garden, check out my guide Benefits Of Mulch In Your Garden {Ultimate Guide To Mulching} for all the best resources and knowledge.

Final Thoughts

Hopefully this mulch calculator took some of the confusion and frustration in calculating mulch needs away from your garden planning and maintenance!

Related posts:

The BEST Mulch For Fruit Trees {And What NOT To Do} 7 Methods To Shred Leaves For Mulch, Compost or Leaf Mold Using Straw as Mulch for a Productive Vegetable Garden Using Hay As Mulch {Ruth Stout Method}