Free calculator

Mulch & Soil Planner

Calculate different bed depths, bulk cubic yards, bag counts, optional soil, and a bag-versus-bulk comparison.

Enter your project

Change the starting values to match your site and the product you plan to buy.

Changing units converts your entered measurements.

1. Draw and measure your plan

Use a rectangle, triangle, circle, or custom polygon for each measured section. For a polygon, enter its corners in order or drag the numbered handles in the drawing. Move a whole section by dragging its fill. Excluded areas must stay within the included plan, and overlaps must be fixed before calculating.

Measuring outside? Open the guided field workflow →

2. Set depth and package size

Set different mulch or soil depths inside each measured section above. The result compares bulk volume with whole bags.

Advanced options & prices

Use the same measurements in another planner

Save a named project above, then choose it here or open it in another planner. Only the measured areas and display units carry over. Check the new tool’s product, depth, waste, and price settings before ordering.

Your project diagram

See the layout change

The measured 2D footprint is scaled; the layer or product view explains quantities separately.

Swipe the diagram sideways to see every label. The calculated quantities are listed below.

Your estimate appears here

Enter the measurements and select Calculate. You will see quantities, assumptions, and a shopping list.

Compare two options

Calculate with one set of inputs, save it as A, then change the design or supplier values and save B. Both options stay on this device.

How this calculation works

YardSetup keeps the measured amount separate from the quantity you may need to purchase. Enter product dimensions and supplier figures where they differ from the starting values.

For each bed, finished cubic yards = net area in sq ft × its depth in inches ÷ 324. Add the bed volumes, apply waste, then round bags up from cubic yards × 27 ÷ bag cubic feet.

A quick example

A 300 sq ft bed at 3 inches takes 2.78 cubic yards before waste; with 2 cu ft bags, that is at least 38 bags before waste.

This is a planning estimate. Review the inputs and confirm material specifications, local conditions, and delivery units before ordering.

Guides that help you use the result

How to measure several garden beds for mulchCount every bed while excluding space that will not receive material.How to calculate a mulch top-up over existing mulchSubtract what is already there before buying a full new layer.Mulch bags versus bulk: compare the full costUse coverage, package size, and delivery fees to make a fair comparison.How much soil does a raised bed need?Calculate fill volume and separate it from the bag or bulk order.

✓ Plan with confidence

Measure each bed separately and override its depth if needed.

✓ Plan with confidence

Read the bag’s cubic-foot volume, not only its weight.

✓ Plan with confidence

Include delivery and minimum-order charges in bulk comparisons.