Mulch Cost Calculator
Bagged or bulk? Enter the bed size and both prices — the tool tells you which route is cheaper and how much you save.
How the cost is calculated
- Volume = length × width × (depth ÷ 12) in cubic feet, then ÷ 27 for cubic yards.
- Bagged cost = cubic feet ÷ bag size, rounded up, × price per bag.
- Bulk cost = cubic yards × price per yard.
- The lower total becomes the headline, both are listed underneath.
Worked example
A 20 ft × 10 ft bed at 3 inches, bags at $4.50 and bulk at $35 per yard:
- 200 × 0.25 = 50 cu ft = 1.85 cu yd
- Bagged: 25 bags × $4.50 = $112.50
- Bulk: 1.85 × $35 = $64.75
Bulk wins by about $48 — but only if delivery is free or shared. A $75 delivery fee flips the answer back to bags at this size.
Typical US prices
| Format | Price | Covers | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 cu ft bag | $3–6 | ~8 sq ft at 3 in | Small beds, touch-ups |
| 3 cu ft bag | $5–8 | ~12 sq ft at 3 in | Medium beds |
| Bulk, per cubic yard | $30–45 | 108 sq ft at 3 in | Beds over ~100 sq ft |
| Delivery | $50–150 | — | Usually waived above 5 yards |
| Coloured / rubber mulch | 2–4× the above | — | Play areas, high-visibility beds |
How much mulch is that?
One cubic yard covers 108 sq ft at 3 inches deep, 162 sq ft at 2 inches, or 81 sq ft at 4 inches. For a typical suburban front bed of 300 sq ft at 3 inches, you need just under 3 cubic yards — which is the point where bulk almost always wins.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cubic yard of mulch cost?
Bulk runs $30–45 per yard plus delivery. The same volume in 2 cu ft bags is 13.5 bags, which at $4–6 each is $55–80 — roughly twice the bulk price before you count the lifting.
How much to mulch 1,000 square feet?
At 3 inches, 1,000 sq ft is 9.3 cubic yards: about $280–420 in bulk plus delivery, or roughly 125 bags at $500–750. At that size, bulk is not close.
Is bagged or bulk mulch cheaper?
Bulk wins above roughly half a yard once delivery is shared or free. Under about 10 bags, the delivery fee and minimum order make bagged mulch cheaper and far less hassle.
Do I need to remove old mulch first?
No. Rake the old layer to break the crust and top up to your target depth — usually 1 inch on a mature bed. Replace it entirely every three to five years once it has matted into a water-shedding layer.