Cedar Mulch Calculator: Estimate Cubic Yards, Tons & Bags (2026 Cost Guide)
Shredded or chipped cedar bark that resists rot, repels some insects and keeps its reddish color longer than dyed hardwood mulch.
Cedar mulch is one of the most popular bed mulches in North America because it breaks down slowly, smells great and naturally discourages some insects. Most landscapers spread it 2–3 inches deep around shrubs and perennials and 3–4 inches deep for weed suppression in open beds.
1Measure your area
2Prices (optional)
+ $75 typical delivery
Your Cedar Mulch estimate
Total volume
2.04 cu. yd
Bags needed
28
Estimated weight
0.61 tons
Bulk order
2.5 cu. yd
- Bulk (2.5 yd + delivery)$180
$105 material + $75 delivery
- Bagged (28 × 2 cu. ft bag)Best value$139
$4.98 per bag
Buying bags saves about $41. Prices are US averages — enter your local quotes above.
Can my truck haul it?
- Mid-size pickup (~1,000 lbs)2 trips
- Half-ton pickup (F-150 / Silverado 1500) (~1,500 lbs)1 trip
- 3/4-ton pickup (2500 series) (~2,500 lbs)1 trip
- 1-ton pickup (3500 series) (~4,000 lbs)1 trip
Material shopping list
| Cedar Mulch — bulk≈ 0.61 tons · $180 delivered | 2.5 cu. yd |
| Cedar Mulch — or bagged (2 cu. ft bag)$139 at $4.98/bag | 28 bags |
| Coverage3" deep · 10% overage included | 200 sq. ft |
Prices are estimates. Confirm bag yield (cu. ft) on the package before buying.
How much cedar mulch do I need? Quick-reference table
Pre-calculated amounts for common project sizes, including a 10% overage. Bags are based on the 2 cu. ft bag; weight uses 600 lbs per cubic yard.
| Area | Depth | Cubic yards | Cubic feet | Bags | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10×10 ft (100 sq. ft) | 2" | 0.68 | 18.3 | 10 | 0.2 tons |
| 10×10 ft (100 sq. ft) | 3" | 1.02 | 27.5 | 14 | 0.31 tons |
| 10×10 ft (100 sq. ft) | 4" | 1.36 | 36.7 | 19 | 0.41 tons |
| 12×12 ft (144 sq. ft) | 2" | 0.98 | 26.4 | 14 | 0.29 tons |
| 12×12 ft (144 sq. ft) | 3" | 1.47 | 39.6 | 20 | 0.44 tons |
| 12×12 ft (144 sq. ft) | 4" | 1.96 | 52.8 | 27 | 0.59 tons |
| 20×20 ft (400 sq. ft) | 2" | 2.72 | 73.3 | 37 | 0.81 tons |
| 20×20 ft (400 sq. ft) | 3" | 4.07 | 110 | 55 | 1.22 tons |
| 20×20 ft (400 sq. ft) | 4" | 5.43 | 146.7 | 74 | 1.63 tons |
How much area does a cubic yard of cedar mulch cover?
| Depth | 1 cu. yd covers | 1 ton covers | 1 bag covers |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1" | 324 sq. ft | 1,080 sq. ft | 24 sq. ft |
| 2" | 162 sq. ft | 540 sq. ft | 12 sq. ft |
| 3" | 108 sq. ft | 360 sq. ft | 8 sq. ft |
| 4" | 81 sq. ft | 270 sq. ft | 6 sq. ft |
| 6" | 54 sq. ft | 180 sq. ft | 4 sq. ft |
The cedar mulch formula, step by step
This calculator uses the standard US bulk-material formula:Cubic Yards = (Area in sq. ft × (Depth in inches ÷ 12)) ÷ 27. Here's a worked example for a 12 × 12 ft area at 3 inches deep:
- Measure the area. Multiply length × width in feet to get square feet. Break irregular shapes into rectangles and add them.
- Convert depth to feet. Divide the depth in inches by 12. A 3" layer is 0.25 ft.
- Calculate cubic feet and yards. Multiply square feet × depth in feet for cubic feet, then divide by 27 for cubic yards.
- Add a waste factor. Multiply by 1.10 to add 10% for settling, compaction and spillage.
- Convert to bags and tons. Divide cubic feet by 2 for 2 cu. ft bag, and multiply cubic yards by 0.3 for tons.
Result: 144 sq. ft × 0.25 ft = 36cu. ft ÷ 27 = 1.33 cubic yards. With 10% extra that's 1.47 cu. yd — about 20 bags or 0.44 tons.
Cedar Mulch cost guide (2026)
- Bulk:$32–$60 per cubic yard (US average ≈ $42), plus about $75 delivery.
- Bagged:2 cu. ft bag ≈ $4.98 each — 13.5 bags per yard, or about $67 per cubic yard.
- Weight: 600 lbs per cubic yard (0.3tons). A half-ton pickup can safely carry about 2.5 cu. yd per trip.
Pro tips for installing cedar mulch
- Pull existing mulch back and weed the bed first — mulch slows weeds, it does not kill established ones.
- Use 3 inches for most beds. Deeper than 4 inches can starve roots of oxygen and hold too much moisture.
- Never 'volcano' mulch against tree trunks; leave a 3–6 inch donut-shaped gap at the base.
- Plan on a 10% overage: fresh mulch settles and compacts by roughly 10–20% in the first few weeks.
Common uses
- Flower beds and foundation plantings
- Around trees and shrubs (keep 3" off the trunk)
- Garden paths and natural play areas
Cedar Mulch FAQ
How many bags of cedar mulch are in a cubic yard?
A cubic yard is 27 cubic feet, so it equals 13.5 standard 2 cu. ft bags or 9 bags of the 3 cu. ft size. Round up to 14 or 9 bags when you shop.
How much area does one cubic yard of cedar mulch cover?
One cubic yard covers about 162 sq. ft at 2 inches deep, 108 sq. ft at 3 inches and 81 sq. ft at 4 inches (324 ÷ depth in inches).
Is it cheaper to buy cedar mulch in bags or in bulk?
For projects over about 2 cubic yards, bulk delivery is almost always cheaper — bulk cedar averages $32–$60 per yard versus roughly $50–$70 per yard when bought as 2 cu. ft bags. Bags win for small touch-ups or when you can't receive a dump-truck load.
How often should cedar mulch be replaced?
Cedar decomposes slowly, so most beds only need a 1-inch top-up every 1–2 years and a full refresh every 3–4 years. Rake the old layer to loosen it before topping up.