You need about
1.02 cubic yards of mulch
0.31tons (typical)
27.5cubic feet
142 cu ft bags
Includes 10% extra for waste. Weight assumes about 0.3 tons per cubic yard (range 0.2–0.4).
The working
5 ft × 20 ft × 3/12 ft = 25.0 cubic feet. Add 10% = 27.5 cubic feet. Divide by 27 = 1.02 cubic yards.
Change the numbers
–cubic yards
–tons (typical)
–cubic feet
–bags
What if it is a different depth?
| Depth | Cubic yards | Tons | Bags |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 in | 0.34 | 0.10 | 5 |
| 2 in | 0.68 | 0.20 | 10 |
| 3 in (this page) | 1.02 | 0.31 | 14 |
| 4 in | 1.36 | 0.41 | 19 |
What you will also need for mulch
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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.