Mulch & Soil Coverage
Lawn & Garden · 9 specs
Direct Answer
Bulk mulch, topsoil, and gravel are measured in Cubic Yards (27 cubic feet / 0.764 m³). One cubic yard covers 324 sq ft at 1 inch depth, 162 sq ft at 2 inches (standard flowerbeds), or 108 sq ft at 3 inches (weed suppression), equivalent to 13.5 bags of 2 cu ft mulch.
Source: National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Handbook 130 · Last reviewed Aug 28, 2026
Specs
| Governing Standards | NIST Handbook 130 (Method of Sale for Mulch and Bulk Soils) |
| Cubic Yard Formula | (Length in Feet × Width in Feet × Depth in Inches) ÷ 324 = Cubic Yards |
| 1 Cubic Yard Volume | 27 cubic feet (0.764 cubic meters / 202 liquid gallons) |
| Coverage at 1" Depth | 324 square feet (30.1 square meters) |
| Coverage at 2" Depth | 162 square feet (15.1 square meters) | Standard flowerbed top-dressing |
| Coverage at 3" Depth | 108 square feet (10.0 square meters) | Standard weed barrier & tree rings |
| Coverage at 4" Depth | 81 square feet (7.5 square meters) | Playground mulch / raw grade build-up |
| 2.0 Cu Ft Bag Equivalent | 13.5 bags = 1 Cubic Yard (Standard retail bag size) |
| 3.0 Cu Ft Bag Equivalent | 9.0 bags = 1 Cubic Yard |
Cubic Yard & Retail Bag Coverage Matrix
| Target Area (sq ft) | 2" Depth (Cubic Yards) | 2" Depth (2 cu ft Bags) | 3" Depth (Cubic Yards) | 3" Depth (2 cu ft Bags) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 sq ft | 0.62 cu yd | 8.5 bags | 0.93 cu yd | 12.5 bags |
| 250 sq ft | 1.54 cu yd | 21 bags | 2.31 cu yd | 31 bags |
| 500 sq ft | 3.09 cu yd | 42 bags | 4.63 cu yd | 63 bags |
| 1,000 sq ft | 6.17 cu yd | 84 bags | 9.26 cu yd | 125 bags |
| 2,000 sq ft | 12.35 cu yd | 167 bags | 18.52 cu yd | 250 bags |