# Mulch Calculator

Choose the area to fill:

Length

Width

Square Feet

Diameter

Side 1

Side 2

Depth

Choose a mulch type or soil ?

Cost Estimation (optional):

Bag Size

Price per Bag (\$)

Table of Content
 1 What are the Types of Mulch? 2 How to Calculate How Much Mulch Do I Need (Step-by-Step)? 3 How Many Bags of Mulch are in a Yard? 4 How Much Does Mulch Cost? 5 What is mulch made of? 6 What is a good mulch? 7 Is it cheaper to buy mulch in bulk or bags? 8 What does 1 yard of mulch weigh?
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An online mulch calculator helps you to estimate the amount of mulch you required to cover the area of surface at a specified depth. Also, this mulch cost calculator determines the total cost of the mulch required to complete the task. Our online calculator finds how much mulch do you need of your own choice for the following shapes:

• Square/Rectangle.
• Circle.
• Triangle.

Also, this tool assists you to find out the answers of the questions like:

• How much mulch do I need to complete the task?
• How many bags of mulch in a yard?
• How many cubic feet in a yard of mulch?
• How many bags of mulch do i need?

Give a thorough read to this article to completely know about the basic definitions, how this calculator works, manual (Step-by-Step) calculations and much more!

Also, you can use our online gravel calculator that helps you to calculate the weight & volume of gravel required to complete your construction project.

But, first of all ahead to the basics.

## What are the Types of Mulch?

According to their different size & shapes, they are classified into following types:

### Wood Bark Mulch:

This type performs well in the garden, its advantage is its natural colour and appearance. Cedar, pine, spruce and hemlock are different types of wood bark mulch. The smaller the size of chips, the faster they will decompose.

### Wood Chip Mulch:

This type is produced when the branches of the tree are chipped. Mainly Cedar & cypress mulch are included in this type. This type is organic and will slowly breakdown and release the nutrients to soil.

### Straw Mulch:

This type is mainly used for the protection of plants (vegetables) from cold. It is made up of many natural substances like pine needles, dry grasses, dry leaves etc. As straw mulch is very cheap and can be available in different colors, you can make different compositions with it.

### Saw Dust Mulch:

This type of mulching is best for the acid loving plants like rhododendron & blueberries. For decompositions, you need to add the correct ratio of the nitrogen in it, otherwise it will also remove the nitrogen from plants.

### Rubber Mulch:

It is mainly made from recycled tyres used in landscaping for gardens. It will stay warmer for a longer time. The nuggets of rubber are usually the size of 10mm to 32mm. It will be the best choice for landscaping the playground because it is elastic and when your child falls on the ground while playing it will protect your child.

### Plastic Mulch:

It is an inorganic type of mulch and used in commercial berry & vegetable production. Every plant has its own hole in the plastic cover through which it grows.

For easiness, try an online mulch calculator that allows you to determine the quantity & cost of the specific mulch of your desire.

## How to Use the Mulch Estimator:

The free online mulch calculator determines the accurate results of your problem in a fraction of seconds. Our online tool performs the mulch calculations for the following surfaces.

• Square/Rectangle.
• Circle.
• Triangle.

### For Square/Rectangle:

Simply, stick to the following points to find out the results for the square/rectangular surfaces.

Inputs:

• First of all, hit the tab to choose the material for finding the mulch calculations.
• Then, enter the data in the designated fields according to the selected option.
• Very next, choose the type of mulch from the dropdown of this tool.
• Finally, hit the calculate button.

### For Circle:

Inputs:

• Firstly, enter the diameter of the surface.
• Then, plug-in the depth of surface.
• Very next, choose the type of mulch.
• Lastly, hit the calculate button.

### For Triangle:

Inputs:

• First of all, enter the first side of the triangular surface.
• Then, enter the second side of the triangular surface.
• Very next, choose the type of mulch from the dropdown of this tool.
• Finally, hit the calculate button.

Outputs:

Once you done, the online mulch calculator shows:

• Quantity of mulch needed in a cubic yard (cu), cubic feet(cu ft), cubic meter(m3) and in litres.
• Area of the given surface.
• No. of mulch bales needed.
• Total cost of mulch.

Note:

No matter, it’s a Square/rectangular, Circular or a Triangular surface; the mulch estimator shows you the same outcomes in no time. There is an optional field of ‘cost estimation’. If you enter the price per bag then, the mulch cost calculator determines the cost of the mulch required to complete the project.

Although, this mulch estimator helps you to perform calculations on the following mulch type or soil:

• Cedar.
• Cypress.
• Eucalyptus.
• Hardwood.
• Hemlock.
• Pine.
• Pine Needles.
• Pine Nuggets.
• Rubber.
• Rubber Nuggets.
• Wheat Straw.
• Soil.

The calculator-online provided you an online roof pitch calculator that helps you to measure the pitch and length of rafters for which you going for construction.

## How to Calculate How Much Mulch Do I Need (Step-by-Step)?

This online calculator determines the volume and the number of bags of mulch needed for the completion of a project. We have the manual calculations for both.

To calculate the volume needed, follow the given steps:

• Measure the length & width of the area for which you are going for the construction.
• Find out the area of the surface from length & width. $$(A = L \times W)$$.
• Determine the depth of the surface.
• Find out the volume by multiplying the area and depth.
• The volume obtained is the volume needed for the mulch to complete the project.

Let’s have an example:

Example:

The surface is $$12 ft$$ long, 8ft wide with the depth of $$6 ft$$. Then find how much mulch do I need for landscaping?

Solution:

$$L = 12 ft$$

$$W = 8 ft$$

$$D = 6 ft$$

So, find the area by,

$$A = L \times W$$

$$A = 12 \times 8$$

$$A = 96 ft^2$$

Now,

Calculate the volume by using the formula:

$$V = A \times D$$

$$V = 96 \times 6$$

$$V = 576 ft^3$$

### How Many Bags of Mulch are in a Yard?

The size of the bag is varying according to the type of mulch, but the industrial standard is two cubic feet. As in one cubic yard there are twenty seven cubic feets. So, in one cubic yard there are fourteen standard bags.

Also, our online home depot mulch calculator uses these standards to determine the number of bags of mulch required to complete the task.

### How Much Does Mulch Cost?

Once you determine the weight and volume of the mulch, you can use our mulch cost calculator that helps you to find how much you have to pay to purchase the mulch. Mostly, depending on the quality and density of mulch the price of one bag is between the $$2$$ to $$6$$.

Example:

If the price of one bag is $$5$$, then how much amount of mulch do you require for the $$21.33$$ cubic yard?

Solution:

As,

$$1$$ cubic yard = $$14$$ bags

So,

$$21.33$$ cubic yard = $$14 \times 21.33$$

$$21.33$$ cubic yard = $$298.62$$ bags.

Now,

Price of $$1$$ bag = $$5$$

Price of $$298.62$$ bags = $$5 \times 298.62$$

Price of $$298.62$$ bags = $$1493.1$$

Also, you can use this online mulch calculator to verify all these calculations about mulch.

### What is mulch made of?

Different organic residues used as a mulch like grass clippings, leaves hay, kitchen scraps comfrey, straw, wool animal manure etc.

### What is a good mulch?

Shredded bark is one of the least expensive and most common type of mulch which is used for the common landscaping of the surface.

### Is it cheaper to buy mulch in bulk or bags?

The bag of mulch is more expensive but it can be easy to handle, especially if you have no place for bulk. Bulk mulch can be ordered from garden centers or landscape supply companies.

### What does 1 yard of mulch weigh?

The weight of mulch varies due to the moisture content. Typically, the 1 yard of mulch has 400-800 lbs.

## Conclusion:

As mulching reduces the weed growth, loss of water from soil surface and keeps the soil moisture, so you should have to mulch your surface. Before mulching you should have to know the right amount of it you need. Then, simply give a try to this online mulch calculator that determines the amount of product you require for the completion of your project/task. Typically, users account to this mulch cost calculator to get an estimate of the cost of mulch required for the mulching of surfaces.

## References:

From the source of Wikipedia: Mulch, types, Applications, on site productions and much more.

From the site of thespruce.com : Uses for Synthetic and Inorganic Mulches

From the source of agrilifeextension : Tips for placing mulch around a tree