As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. How this site is paid for

Mulch › project size

How much mulch for a 4x10 garden bed?

4 × 10 ft (40 sq ft) at 3 in deep.

✓Worked out with stated formulas · see method & assumptions

You need about

0.41 cubic yards of mulch

0.12tons (typical)
11.0cubic feet
62 cu ft bags

Includes 10% extra for waste. Weight assumes about 0.3 tons per cubic yard (range 0.2–0.4).

The working

4 ft × 10 ft × 3/12 ft = 10.0 cubic feet. Add 10% = 11.0 cubic feet. Divide by 27 = 0.41 cubic yards.

Change the numbers

–cubic yards
–tons (typical)
–cubic feet
–bags

What if it is a different depth?

DepthCubic yardsTonsBags
1 in0.140.042
2 in0.270.084
3 in (this page)0.410.126
4 in0.540.168

What you will also need for mulch

Tools and supplies that go with this job. These are Amazon search links, so you can compare options and current prices there.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. These are paid links and cost you nothing extra.

Good to know

A 2–3 in layer is typical for beds and 3 in is a good target after settling; do not go above 4 in. Keep mulch back from tree trunks and plant stems, because mulch piled against a trunk (a mulch volcano) is not recommended. Wet mulch weighs more than dry.

Read the full mulch guide →

Other mulch project sizes

Other materials