{
    "name": "Mulch Calculator",
    "url": "https://calculators.geekmidst.com/calculators/mulch-calculator",
    "markdown": "https://calculators.geekmidst.com/calculators/mulch-calculator.md",
    "category": "Everyday tools",
    "description": "Work out how much mulch or bark to buy for a garden bed from its length, width and depth, in cubic metres, litres, cubic yards and bags.",
    "summary": "Mulch volume is simply the bed’s area times the depth you want. Convert that to the units your supplier sells in: bulk cubic yards or metres, or bags.",
    "also_called": [
        "Bark calculator",
        "Garden mulch calculator"
    ],
    "applies_to": "Worldwide",
    "last_updated": "2026-10-29",
    "computation": "Results are computed in the visitor’s browser on the HTML page. This API describes the calculator; it does not compute results.",
    "inputs": [
        {
            "name": "units",
            "label": "Units",
            "type": "segmented",
            "default": "metric",
            "options": {
                "metric": "Metric (m, cm)",
                "imperial": "Imperial (ft, in)"
            }
        },
        {
            "name": "length",
            "label": "Bed length",
            "type": "number",
            "default": "5"
        },
        {
            "name": "width",
            "label": "Bed width",
            "type": "number",
            "default": "4"
        },
        {
            "name": "depth",
            "label": "Depth",
            "type": "number",
            "default": "7.5"
        },
        {
            "name": "bag_size",
            "label": "Bag size",
            "type": "number",
            "default": "50"
        },
        {
            "name": "bag_unit",
            "label": "Bag size in",
            "type": "segmented",
            "default": "l",
            "options": {
                "l": "Litres",
                "ft3": "Cubic feet"
            }
        }
    ],
    "outputs": [
        {
            "key": "volume_m3",
            "label": "Mulch needed",
            "format": "number"
        },
        {
            "key": "volume_yd3",
            "label": "Mulch needed",
            "format": "number"
        },
        {
            "key": "volume_ft3",
            "label": "Mulch needed",
            "format": "number"
        },
        {
            "key": "litres",
            "label": "Mulch needed",
            "format": "integer"
        },
        {
            "key": "bags",
            "label": "Bags",
            "format": "integer"
        }
    ],
    "formula": {
        "text": "Volume = Length × Width × Depth;  Bags = Volume ÷ Bag size, rounded up;  1 yd³ = 27 ft³ = 0.7646 m³",
        "variables": {
            "Depth": "thickness of the mulch layer (converted from cm or inches)",
            "Bag size": "volume printed on the bag"
        }
    },
    "worked_example": {
        "inputs": {
            "units": "metric",
            "length": "5",
            "width": "4",
            "depth": "7.5",
            "bag_size": "50",
            "bag_unit": "l"
        },
        "steps": [
            "Area = 5 × 4 = 20 m². Depth 7.5 cm = 0.075 m.",
            "Volume = 20 × 0.075 = 1.5 m³ = 1,500 litres.",
            "1,500 ÷ 50 L per bag = 30 bags."
        ],
        "result": "A 5 × 4 m bed mulched 7.5 cm deep needs 1.5 m³ (about 1.96 yd³), or 30 bags of 50 litres."
    },
    "interpretation": "For larger beds, bulk delivery by the cubic metre or yard is usually cheaper than bags. Fresh mulch settles, so some gardeners add a little extra.",
    "assumptions": [
        "A rectangular bed of even depth. For irregular beds, measure the area another way and use length = area and width = 1."
    ],
    "limitations": [
        "Mulch compacts and settles over time; the volume is for the loose material at the depth entered."
    ],
    "rules": null,
    "faqs": [
        {
            "question": "How deep should mulch be?",
            "answer": "Garden guidance commonly suggests about 5–8 cm (2–3 in) for beds. Keep mulch pulled back from plant stems and tree trunks."
        },
        {
            "question": "How many 2 cubic foot bags make a cubic yard?",
            "answer": "A cubic yard is 27 ft³, so 13.5 bags; in practice buy 14."
        }
    ],
    "sources": [],
    "related": [
        {
            "name": "Gravel Calculator",
            "url": "https://calculators.geekmidst.com/calculators/gravel-calculator"
        },
        {
            "name": "Concrete Calculator",
            "url": "https://calculators.geekmidst.com/calculators/concrete-calculator"
        },
        {
            "name": "Tile Calculator",
            "url": "https://calculators.geekmidst.com/calculators/tile-calculator"
        }
    ],
    "disclaimer": null,
    "publisher": "GM¹X CalcVerse"
}