A yard of mulch is 27 cubic feet. That is the same as any cubic yard, because a yard is a volume of 3 feet by 3 feet by 3 feet. The useful part is turning those 27 cubic feet into bags, wheelbarrow loads, and square feet of coverage.
The short answer
One cubic yard of mulch is 27 cubic feet. When a garden center says "a yard of mulch", they mean a cubic yard, not a linear yard and not a square yard.
Bulk mulch is sold by the cubic yard. Bagged mulch is sold by the cubic foot, which is why people ask this question: they are trying to compare a bulk price with a bag price.
Bags of mulch in a yard
Divide 27 by the size of the bag. A 2 cubic foot bag gives 13.5 bags per yard, so plan on 14 bags. A 3 cubic foot bag gives exactly 9 bags. A 1.5 cubic foot bag gives 18 bags, and a 1 cubic foot bag gives 27.
Bag sizes are printed on the front of the bag. Always check, because some bags are 0.75 or 1.5 cubic feet even when the bag looks the same size as a 2 cubic foot bag.
How far a yard of mulch goes
Spread at 1 inch deep, a yard covers 324 square feet. At 2 inches it covers 162 square feet, at 3 inches it covers 108 square feet, and at 4 inches it covers 81 square feet.
Most flower beds are mulched 2 to 3 inches deep. That means one yard covers a bed about 10 feet by 11 feet at 3 inches.
Bulk or bagged: which is cheaper?
Multiply the bag price by the number of bags in a yard, then compare it with the bulk price per yard. Bulk is usually cheaper once you need more than about 2 yards, but delivery fees and minimum orders can change that. Ask for the delivered price.
Bulk mulch also has fewer plastic bags to dispose of, though you need a place to dump it and a wheelbarrow to move it.
Wheelbarrows of mulch
A standard 3 cubic foot wheelbarrow holds 9 loads per yard when filled level. Heaped loads can be a little more. A 6 cubic foot contractor wheelbarrow needs only 4.5 loads.
Bags of mulch per cubic yard
| Bag size | Bags per cubic yard |
|---|---|
| 1 cubic foot | 27 |
| 1.5 cubic feet | 18 |
| 2 cubic feet | 13.5 |
| 3 cubic feet | 9 |
Frequently asked questions
How many cubic feet are in a yard of mulch?
27 cubic feet, the same as any cubic yard.
How many 2 cubic foot bags are in a yard of mulch?
13.5 bags, so buy 14.
How many square feet does a yard of mulch cover?
324 square feet at 1 inch deep, 108 at 3 inches, and 81 at 4 inches.
How much does a yard of mulch weigh?
About 700 pounds as a planning value, but wet mulch can weigh much more.