A cubic yard of mulch is 27 cubic feet. How many bags that works out to depends only on the bag’s size, printed on the bag as its volume in cubic feet. This guide gives you the count for the two most common bag sizes, a quick reference table for others, and worked examples for real garden beds.
Know your area and depth but not the exact yardage yet? Use the free Cubic Yards Calculator, it works out cubic yards and bag count together, in one step.
The short answer
- 2 cubic foot bags (most common): 13.5 bags per cubic yard
- 3 cubic foot bags: 9 bags per cubic yard
The formula is simply: bags = 27 ÷ bag size in cubic feet.
Why 13.5 isn’t the number to buy
13.5 is the exact math, but bags are sold whole. To actually cover a full cubic yard with 2 cubic foot bags, round up to 14 bags, the half-bag over is what makes up for the fact that you can’t buy 13 and a half. With 3 cubic foot bags, a cubic yard divides evenly into exactly 9 bags, no rounding needed, which is one reason some people prefer the larger size.
Quick reference: bags per cubic yard
| Bag size | Bags per cubic yard (exact) | Bags to buy (rounded up) |
|---|---|---|
| 0.5 cu ft | 54 | 54 |
| 1 cu ft | 27 | 27 |
| 1.5 cu ft | 18 | 18 |
| 2 cu ft | 13.5 | 14 |
| 2.5 cu ft | 10.8 | 11 |
| 3 cu ft | 9 | 9 |
Bag sizes vary by brand and country, so check the volume printed on the bag rather than assuming 2 or 3 cubic feet.
Worked examples
1. A typical garden bed: 100 sq ft at a 3-inch depth.
(100 × 3) ÷ 324 = 0.93 cubic yards, which is 25 cubic feet.
2 cu ft bags: 25 ÷ 2 = 12.5 → 13 bags. 3 cu ft bags: 25 ÷ 3 = 8.3 → 9 bags.
2. A small border: 50 sq ft at a 2-inch depth.
(50 × 2) ÷ 324 = 0.31 cubic yards, which is 8.3 cubic feet.
2 cu ft bags: 8.3 ÷ 2 = 4.2 → 5 bags. 3 cu ft bags: 8.3 ÷ 3 = 2.8 → 3 bags.
3. A large planting area: 300 sq ft at a 3-inch depth.
(300 × 3) ÷ 324 = 2.78 cubic yards, which is 75 cubic feet.
2 cu ft bags: 75 ÷ 2 = 37.5 → 38 bags. 3 cu ft bags: 75 ÷ 3 = 25 → 25 bags exactly.
Notice the pattern: as the area grows, buying in bulk (by the cubic yard, delivered loose) usually becomes more practical than counting bags. Many suppliers price bulk mulch per cubic yard once you need more than 2 or 3 yards.
Bagged vs bulk mulch
- Bagged mulch is easier to transport in a regular car, easier to store the leftover, and simpler for small beds.
- Bulk mulch (delivered by the cubic yard) is usually cheaper per cubic yard for larger projects, but needs a truck or trailer, or a delivery, and you commit to using it soon since it isn’t resealable like a bag.
As a rough guide, once a project needs more than about 2–3 cubic yards, it’s worth asking a local supplier for a bulk price.
Why bag counts can be slightly off
- Settling and compaction. Mulch settles after spreading and watering, so a bag may cover slightly less than its stated volume suggests once it’s raked out.
- Brand differences. Not every “2 cubic foot” bag is identically packed; check the volume printed on the specific bag you’re buying.
- Uneven ground. Slopes and dips mean the actual depth varies across the bed, so real usage can run higher than a flat-ground calculation.
Because of this, many people buy 5–10% more than the calculated amount. The Cubic Yards Calculator has an extra-material option (0%, 5%, 10% or 15%) to build this in automatically.
Quick answers
How many 2 cubic foot bags of mulch are in a yard? 13.5 exactly; buy 14 to fully cover a cubic yard.
How many 3 cubic foot bags of mulch are in a yard? Exactly 9, with no rounding needed.
Does this work for topsoil, gravel or sand too? Yes. The volume math is the same for any bagged material; only the bag’s cubic foot size matters, not what’s inside it.
How many bags do I need for my specific bed? First find your cubic yards or cubic feet using square feet to cubic yards conversion, then divide by your bag’s size and round up.
Work out your own bag count
Enter your area, depth and bag size into the Cubic Yards Calculator, and it shows cubic yards, cubic feet and the number of bags needed all at once, rounded up for you. More questions? See the FAQ.
Figures in this guide use common bag sizes and standard rounding. Always check the volume printed on your specific bag, since brands vary. Results are for reference only.
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