foundation Landscaping · Mulch & Stone

Freshly mulched garden bed around a young Japanese maple

Mulch & Stone Calculator

Q: Is bulk mulch cheaper than bags?

Yes, bulk mulch is significantly cheaper. Bulk hardwood mulch costs $25–$45 per cubic yard, while the equivalent in bags (13.5 bags at $3–$5 each) costs $40–$68. The break-even point is typically around 3–5 cubic yards — below that, the delivery fee ($50–$100) may negate the savings. For small projects under 2 cubic yards, bags are more practical.

Calculate how much mulch, gravel, or stone you need by area and depth. Compare hardwood, cedar, cypress, rubber, river rock, and pea gravel costs. Instant estimate, no sign-up.

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1. Your Landscape Beds

Total Area to Cover

Length (feet)

Width (feet)

Total area: 200 sq ft

Tip: For multiple beds, add up the total square footage across all beds and enter custom dimensions (e.g., 200 sq ft total = 20 × 10).

Depth

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2. Delivery

How are you buying?

Include delivery?

Material Cost Overrides ($ per cubic yard)

Hardwood ($/yd³)

Pine Bark ($/yd³)

Cedar ($/yd³)

Cypress ($/yd³)

Dyed ($/yd³)

Rubber ($/yd³)

Pea Gravel ($/yd³)

River Rock ($/yd³)

Delivery Fee ($)

Prices are national averages. Bulk mulch prices vary by region and supplier. Bag prices based on typical big-box store pricing ($3–$5 per 2 cu ft bag). Use Advanced Settings to enter your actual prices.

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3. How Much Mulch You Need

Cost Comparison by Material

Material	$/Yard	Material	Delivery	Total	Lifespan	Cost/Year

Mulch prices vary by region, supplier, and season. Spring is peak season with higher prices. Organic mulches (wood, bark) decompose and need replacing every 1–2 years. Stone and rubber last much longer but cost more upfront. This is a planning tool — call local suppliers for exact pricing.

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How This Calculator Works

This calculator tells you exactly how much mulch, gravel, or stone you need and what it will cost across eight common materials.

The coverage formula is: Area (sq ft) × Depth (inches) ÷ 324 = Cubic Yards needed. One cubic yard of mulch covers about 162 sq ft at 2" deep, 108 sq ft at 3" deep, or 81 sq ft at 4" deep.

Bulk vs bags: One cubic yard equals 27 cubic feet, or about 13.5 standard bags (2 cu ft each). Bulk delivery is typically 30–50% cheaper per cubic yard, but most suppliers charge a flat delivery fee of $50–$100. The break-even point is usually around 3–5 cubic yards.

Cost per year accounts for replacement frequency. Organic mulches (hardwood, pine bark, cedar) decompose and need replacing every 1–2 years. Rubber mulch lasts 10+ years, and stone essentially lasts forever. The annual cost comparison helps you decide between a cheaper material you'll replace often vs a pricier one-time investment.

Cheapest Option

Select dimensions — Total material + delivery

Material—

Delivery—

Cost per year—

Lifespan—

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No email, phone number, or sign-up required. Prices based on national landscape supplier and big-box store averages.

Mulch Guides

In-depth articles on materials, costs, and decisions.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to common mulch questions.

How much mulch do I need?

To calculate mulch needed: multiply the area (length × width in feet) by the desired depth in inches, then divide by 324. This gives you cubic yards. For example, a 10×20 foot bed at 3 inches deep needs 200 × 3 ÷ 324 = 1.85 cubic yards. One cubic yard covers about 108 square feet at 3 inches deep.

How much does a yard of mulch cost?

Bulk mulch costs $25–$45 per cubic yard for standard hardwood or pine bark, $35–$55 for cedar or cypress, $40–$65 for dyed mulch, and $80–$120 for rubber mulch. Delivery typically adds $50–$100 per load. Buying in bags costs roughly 50–80% more per cubic yard.

How many bags of mulch are in a cubic yard?

There are about 13.5 standard bags (2 cubic feet each) in one cubic yard. A cubic yard equals 27 cubic feet, so 27 ÷ 2 = 13.5 bags. At $3–$5 per bag, that's $40–$68 per cubic yard in bags versus $25–$45 for bulk delivery.

How deep should I put mulch?

Apply mulch 2–4 inches deep for most garden beds. Use 2 inches around shallow-rooted plants and perennials, 3 inches for most landscape beds (the standard recommendation), and 4 inches for weed suppression in high-maintenance areas. Avoid piling deeper than 4 inches, which can suffocate roots and trap excess moisture.

Is bulk mulch cheaper than bags?

Yes, bulk mulch is significantly cheaper per cubic yard. The break-even point is typically around 3–5 cubic yards — below that, the delivery fee ($50–$100) may negate the bulk discount. For small projects under 2 cubic yards, bags from a home improvement store are more practical and don't require a place to dump a bulk delivery.

How much does river rock cost per yard?

River rock costs $100–$200 per cubic yard for bulk delivery, depending on size and source. Pea gravel is cheaper at $30–$60 per yard. Unlike organic mulch, stone doesn't decompose and rarely needs replacing — the higher upfront cost is offset by a 20+ year effective lifespan versus 1–2 years for wood mulch.