How to Calculate Cubic Yards of Mulch

Figuring out how much mulch you need for a landscaping project involves calculating volume. To do this, you need three measurements: length, width, and depth.

Because bulk mulch is sold in cubic yards, you will need to convert your standard measurements to get the right order size.

The Standard Mulch Formula

(Total Square Footage x Desired Depth in Inches) / 324 = Cubic Yards Needed

Example: If you have a 100-square-foot garden bed and want the mulch to be 3 inches deep:
Step 1: 100 x 3 = 300
Step 2: 300 / 324 = 0.92 cubic yards.

Eliminate the Guesswork

The most difficult part of this equation is usually finding the accurate starting square footage, especially if your garden beds feature organic curves or irregular borders. This is where the Plott CARTA digital measuring wheel eliminates the frustration.

By simply walking the perimeter of your garden bed with the CARTA wheel, the Plott app calculates the exact square footage for you in real time.

Freshly mulched landscaping bed
Once you have that precise square footage number from the app, just multiply it by your desired depth and divide by 324. This method ensures you buy the exact right amount of bulk or bagged mulch, saving you money and the heavy lifting of returning extra bags.

Ready to Modernize Your Workflow?

Order your connected measuring tools directly from our store, or click above for setup instructions for your CARTA.