Mulch Calculator
How to Choose Between Bagged or Bulk Mulch
Curious about how much mulch you’ll need for your home? Figuring out the exact square footage of land you’ll need to mulch will help determine whether you need a few bags of mulch or want to buy in bulk. At Stauffers, we carry both options! Use our formula, outlined below, to help determine exactly how much mulch you’ll need for your home.
Mulch Calculator Formula
Stauffers scoops of mulch cover 128 square feet 2″ deep.
To determine your square footage of land, multiply the length and width of your space. The average step is 2.5 feet in length, so count the steps of the length and width of the area you want to mulch. Then, use our formula:
- Number of steps multiply by 2.5 = Total Length
- Number of steps multiply by 2.5 = Total Width
- Total Width multiply by Total Length = Square Footage
- Square Footage divided by 128 = The number of scoops of mulch needed to cover the area 2″ deep
For more information on how much mulch you may need, check out our blog “How Much Mulch Do I Need and Other Mulch FAQs.”
Application Options
- DIY (Do-It-Yourself) Pickup – Free Pickup + cost of mulch
- DIY (Do-It-Yourself) Delivery – Delivery charge based on mileage + cost of mulch
- Professional installation by our team of landscapers – $90 per scoop installation charge + cost of mulch
With a depth of 0 inches, you will have a total volume of 0 cubic feet.
You will approximately need 0 scoops of bulk mulch, 0 bags of the 1.25 cu. ft. bags of mulch, or 0 bags of the 2 cu. ft. bags of mulch.
Start Your Mulch Order
Fill out the form below to get started with your mulch delivery or pickup request.
A team member will review your order details and follow up to confirm pricing, availability, and scheduling.
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Frequently Asked Mulch Questions
How much mulch do I need?
To figure out how much mulch you need, first you need to find the square footage of your space. To determine your square footage, multiply the length and width of your space.
How much mulch can I buy?
Stauffers offers mulch in 1.25 cubic foot bags, 2 cubic foot bags, 3 cubic foot bags, and in scoops.
To figure out how many bags or how many scoops of mulch you will need for your space, use these formulas:
- Using 2 cubic foot bags: Square Foot Number divided by 12 = Total bags needed for a 2” inch thick layer of mulch.
- Using 3 cubic foot bags: Square Foot Number divided by 18 = Total bags needed for a 2” inch thick layer of mulch.
- Using Scoops: Square Foot Number divided by 128 = Total scoops needed for a 2” thick layer of mulch.
Does the amount of mulch you use matter?
Yes, the amount of mulch you apply absolutely matters. Using too much can risk smothering your plants’ roots, preventing water from reaching the soil, and encouraging pests or disease.
On the contrary, using too little won’t effectively suppress weeds, retain soil moisture, or protect roots from extreme temperature changes. For the best results and a healthy garden, aim for a consistent, even layer that is about 2 inches deep.
What types of mulch are there?
The two main categories of mulch are organic and inorganic.
Organic options, such as natural hardwood, premium bark, and dyed black or brown mulches, break down over time, filling your soil with valuable nutrients.
Inorganic options, like river rock, red stone, and white or tan stone, are incredibly durable and excellent for long-lasting weed control or decorative borders.
How many pounds of mulch are in a yard?
A cubic yard of dry wood mulch typically weighs between 400 and 800 pounds. However, if that mulch is soaking wet from recent rain, it can easily top 1,000 pounds.
Rubber mulch averages 1,000 to 1,200 pounds, while stone or gravel can exceed 2,500 pounds per yard.
How many bags of mulch for 400 square feet?
To cover 400 square feet with a standard 2-inch layer of mulch, you will need about 34 bags if you use 2-cubic-foot bags, or about 23 bags if you use larger 3-cubic-foot bags.
How much area does a bag of mulch cover?
A standard 2-cubic-foot bag of mulch covers 12 square feet at a standard depth of 2 inches. If you opt for the larger 3-cubic-foot bags, each one will cover 18 square feet at that same 2-inch depth.
*Keep in mind that if you spread your mulch thicker (like a 3-inch layer for extra weed control), your coverage drops, and a standard bag will only cover about 8 square feet.
How much does a scoop of mulch cover?
A standard scoop of bulk mulch covers exactly 128 square feet when spread at the recommended depth of 2 inches. If you prefer a thicker 3-inch layer for enhanced weed control, that same scoop will cover approximately 85 square feet.
How many bags of mulch equal a scoop?
A standard bulk scoop of mulch typically holds one cubic yard, which equals 27 cubic feet of material. To match this volume with bagged mulch, you will need 13.5 bags of the standard 2-cubic-foot size, or exactly 9 bags if you are using the larger 3-cubic-foot bags.
How many square feet does 2 cubic feet of mulch cover?
A standard 2-cubic-foot bag of mulch covers exactly 12 square feet when spread at the recommended depth of 2 inches. If you prefer a thicker 3-inch layer for extra weed control, that same bag will cover about 8 square feet.