A cubic yard of mulch weighs about 700 pounds, or 0.35 tons, as a planning value, but fresh wet mulch can weigh 1,000 pounds or more. Mulch is one of the lightest bulk materials you can buy.
Typical weight
Dry shredded bark mulch weighs about 400 to 800 pounds per cubic yard. We use 700 pounds as a planning value. Wood chips are lighter at about 500 pounds, and rubber mulch is about 800.
Fresh mulch straight from a pile that has been rained on can weigh much more, because wood holds a lot of water.
Will it fit in my truck?
By weight, most pickups can carry a yard of mulch easily. By volume, a yard fills about half of a standard pickup bed, so you may fit 1.5 to 2 yards if you heap it carefully.
Tons of mulch
One ton of mulch is about 2.9 cubic yards. Mulch is nearly always sold by the yard, not the ton.
How much do I need?
At 3 inches deep, a cubic yard covers 108 square feet. Use the mulch calculator for your bed size.
Mulch load weight at 700 pounds per cubic yard
| Cubic yards | US tons | Pounds |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0.35 | 700 |
| 2 | 0.70 | 1,400 |
| 3 | 1.05 | 2,100 |
| 5 | 1.75 | 3,500 |
| 10 | 3.50 | 7,000 |
| 15 | 5.25 | 10,500 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a yard of mulch weigh?
About 700 pounds as a planning value.
How much does a bag of mulch weigh?
A 2 cubic foot bag is often 20 to 40 pounds depending on moisture.
How many yards of mulch in a ton?
About 2.9 cubic yards.
Is wet mulch heavier?
Yes, often by a large amount.