How Much Mulch for 500 sq ft?
4.86 cu yd
Covering 500 sq ft with a 3 inch layer of mulch takes about 4.86 cu yd (131.3 cu ft), including 5% for settling. In bags, that is 66 bags of 2 cubic feet.
Mulch for 500 sq ft by depth (5% extra included)
| Depth | Cubic yards | Cubic feet | 2 cu ft bags |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 in | 3.24 cu yd | 87.5 cu ft | 44 bags |
| 3 in | 4.86 cu yd | 131.3 cu ft | 66 bags |
| 4 in | 6.48 cu yd | 175 cu ft | 88 bags |
Adjust the numbers
The calculator below is pre-filled with the numbers above. Change any value to match your project.
You need4.86 cu yd
- In cubic feet
- 131.3 cu ft
- Bags (2 cu ft)
- 66 bags
- Area covered
- 500 sq ft
How it is calculated
The calculator multiplies the area of your bed by the depth. Depth is entered in inches, so it is divided by 12 to convert it to feet before multiplying.
For round beds and tree rings, the area is π × radius², where the radius is half the diameter.
Open the full mulch calculator for other shapes, a worked example and FAQs.