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Mulch Bed Calculator · Free calculator

10x10 Mulch Bed Calculator

Mulching a 10' × 10' bed (100 sq ft) 3" deep takes 0.97 cubic yards — 14 bags of 2 cu ft mulch with 5% extra. Here's 2", 3" and 4" depth, bag vs bulk cost and the fabric and edging for 10x10.

Quick answer

3" deep (standard)
0.97 yd³
2 cu ft bags @ 3"
14
2 cu ft bags @ 2"
9
Bags cost @ 3"
$56
Bulk cost @ 3"
$40
Edging
40 LF

▍Mulch Calculator

Material
ft
in
ft
in
in
Waste Factor
$
L = 10' 0"W = 10' 0"D = 3"
Cubic Yards
0.97yd³
incl. 5% waste · Bulk delivery: order 1.00 yd³
Cubic Feet
26.25ft³
Area
100.0sq ft
Weight
0.29tons
Weight
583lbs
Mulch bags needed
  • 2 cu ft bag (2 ft³ yield)14

Mulch for a 10x10 bed by depth

100 sq ft, 5% extra. Bags ~$4.00 (2 cu ft), bulk ~$40/yd³.

DepthUseCubic yards2 cu ft bagsBags $Bulk $Weight
2"Refresh existing bed0.65 yd³9$36$30389 lbs
3"Standard (weed control)0.97 yd³14$56$40583 lbs
4"New bed / heavy weeds1.30 yd³18$72$60778 lbs

Bed prep for 10x10

ItemQuantityNotes
Landscape fabric (3' × 50' rolls)1110 sq ft incl. 10% overlap
Bed edging (20' sections)240 LF perimeter
Fabric staples12~1 per 9 sq ft
Pickup loads (≈2.5 yd³)1bulk mulch @ 3"

How the math works

  1. Area: 10 ft × 10 ft = 100 sq ft
  2. Volume @ 3": 100 × (3 ÷ 12) = 25.00 cu ft
  3. Add 5%: 25.00 × 1.05 = 26.25 cu ft
  4. Cubic yards: 26.25 ÷ 27 = 0.97 yd³
  5. Bags: 26.25 ÷ 2 cu ft = 14 bags

Trade pro tips

  • 0.97 yd³ at 3" — bags are easier than bulk for this size.
  • Keep mulch 2"–3" away from trunks and siding — no "mulch volcanoes".
  • Refreshing an existing bed usually only needs 1"–2" on top.
  • One cubic yard of bulk mulch = 13.5 two-cu-ft bags.
  • A half-ton pickup carries 2–3 yd³ of mulch; a full-size bed with sides can take about 3.

Frequently asked questions

How many bags of mulch do I need for a 10x10 area?

At 3" deep, 14 bags of 2 cu ft mulch. At 2": 9 bags. At 4": 18 bags. All include 5% extra for 100 sq ft.

How many yards of mulch for 10x10?

2": 0.65 yd³; 3": 0.97 yd³; 4": 1.30 yd³. Bulk mulch is sold by the cubic yard; 1 yd³ = 13.5 bags of 2 cu ft.

How much does it cost to mulch a 10x10 bed?

At 3": about $56 in bags or $40 in bulk before delivery. Bags are usually simpler at this size.

How much does the mulch for 10x10 weigh?

About 583 lbs at 3" (mulch runs 400–800 lbs per yd³ depending on moisture). That's 0.4 half-ton pickup loads of bulk mulch.