Bark Mulch Calculator
Calculate bark mulch in bags, yards, and cubic feet. Includes coverage and weight for shredded, nugget, and bark dust.
Reviewed by the Pro Mulch Calculator Editorial Team · Last updated: July 2, 2026
How much bark mulch do I need per square foot? At the standard 3-inch depth: 0.25 cubic feet per square foot. One cubic yard covers approximately 108 square feet at 3 inches. For bark dust at 2 inches: 0.167 cu ft per sq ft (coverage of 162 sq ft per yard). Always add 10-15% for settling.
Bark Mulch Calculator
Optimized for bark nuggets, bark dust, and shredded bark
Pine bark medium: 3-4 inches recommended
Bark Type Selector - Find the Best Bark for Your Project
Click a use case to see the recommended bark type and key specifications.
Shredded Bark vs Bark Nuggets vs Bark Dust
Shredded bark, bark nuggets, and bark dust are the three main product forms of bark mulch. Shredded bark interlinks for tight weed coverage. Bark nuggets are decorative chunks 1 to 3 inches wide. Bark dust is the finest grade, used for top-dressing flower beds. The Mulch and Soil Council (MSC) certifies each form under its bark product class.
Bark types side by side
| Bark Type | Best For | Recommended Depth | Lifespan | Settling | Cost/yd |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pine Bark Fine (Bark Dust) | Flower beds, groundcover | 2-3" | 1-2 years | 15-20% | $30-$50 |
| Pine Bark Medium Nuggets | General landscaping | 3-4" | 2-3 years | 10% | $35-$55 |
| Pine Bark Large Nuggets | Pathways, large areas | 3-4" | 3-4 years | 8% | $35-$60 |
| Cedar Bark | Pest-sensitive areas | 2-4" | 2-4 years | 12% | $40-$65 |
| Shredded Hardwood Bark | Slopes, erosion control | 2-3" | 1-2 years | 15% | $25-$45 |
| Cypress Mulch | Moisture-heavy areas | 2-3" | 2-3 years | 12% | $35-$55 |
| Redwood Bark | Premium landscaping | 2-4" | 3-5 years | 10% | $45-$80 |
How Much Bark Mulch Do I Need
One cubic yard of bark mulch covers 108 sq ft at 3 inches deep. The bark calculator uses the formula: Cubic Yards = Length x Width x Depth in inches / 324. Add 10 percent buffer for settling per the National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP). The table below shows bark mulch quantities for common bed sizes.
| Bed Size | Cubic Yards (3") | Cubic Feet | Bags (2 cu ft) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50 sq ft | 0.46 yd³ | 12.5 ft³ | 7 bags |
| 100 sq ft | 0.93 yd³ | 25 ft³ | 13 bags |
| 250 sq ft | 2.31 yd³ | 62.5 ft³ | 32 bags |
| 500 sq ft | 4.63 yd³ | 125 ft³ | 63 bags |
| 1,000 sq ft | 9.26 yd³ | 250 ft³ | 125 bags |
Bark Mulch Weight per Yard
Bark mulch weight per cubic yard varies by type and moisture. Pine bark nuggets weigh 450 to 800 lbs per yard dry. Shredded bark weighs 500 to 600 lbs per yard. Bark dust (fine) weighs 600 to 800 lbs per yard. Cedar bark sits at 700 lbs per yard. Wet bark gains 50 percent weight after rain. The Professional Grounds Management Society (PGMS) uses these per-yard weights for commercial payload planning.
Bark Coverage at 2/3/4-Inch Depths
Bark coverage drops as depth rises. One cubic yard of bark mulch covers different square footage at each depth: 162 sq ft at 2 inches, 108 sq ft at 3 inches, 81 sq ft at 4 inches. One cubic foot covers 6 sq ft at 2 inches and 4 sq ft at 3 inches. Use 3 inches as the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) standard for weed suppression and moisture retention.
What does bark mulch cost per cubic yard?
Bark mulch costs $30 to $80 per cubic yard delivered. Pine bark sits at the low end. Cedar and redwood bark cost $60 to $100 per cubic yard. Bagged bark costs $4 to $8 per 2 cubic foot bag. A 5 yard bulk order saves 40 percent versus the bagged equivalent.
Does bark mulch settle and lose depth?
Bark mulch settles 8 to 20 percent in the first season. Fine bark dust settles 15 to 20 percent. Medium nuggets settle 10 percent. Large nuggets settle 8 percent. Apply 3.5 inches if your target finished depth is 3 inches. The bark calculator adds this buffer automatically.
Is cedar bark a natural pest repellent?
Cedar bark contains cedrene and cedrol oils that repel moths, ants, fleas, and cockroaches. Cedar mulch keeps pests off areas near the home and around pet zones. The repelling effect fades over 1 to 2 years as the bark dries and weathers. Cedar does not repel deer, rabbits, or beetles.
How do I calculate bark in cubic yards?
The bark calculator yards formula is L x W x D in inches / 324. A 20 ft x 10 ft bed at 3 inches deep equals 1.85 cubic yards. Round up to 2 yards when ordering. The bark coverage calculator on this page handles every common bed shape and depth in one click.
How does the bark dust calculator differ from a nugget calculator?
The bark dust calculator applies a 15 to 20 percent settling buffer because dust compacts faster than nuggets. A barkdust calculator outputs more cubic yards for the same bed than the nugget version. Apply bark dust at 2 inches and nuggets at 3 inches for matched finished coverage after settling.
How long does bark mulch last before replacement?
Pine bark nuggets last 2 to 4 years. Cedar bark lasts up to 5 years. Bark dust lasts 1 to 2 years. Top-dress with 1 inch of fresh bark each spring to restore color and depth. The ISA calls top-dressing the most cost-efficient bark maintenance method.
At the standard 3-inch depth: 0.25 cubic feet per square foot. One cubic yard covers approximately 108 square feet at 3 inches. For bark dust at 2 inches: 0.167 cu ft per sq ft (coverage of 162 sq ft per yard). Always add 10-15% for settling.
Bark mulch is generally more durable and longer-lasting than shredded wood mulch. Bark decomposes more slowly, maintains its appearance longer, and tends to retain its color better. However, wood mulch improves soil health faster as it breaks down and adds organic matter. For ornamental beds where appearance matters, bark is preferred. For vegetable gardens and new plantings, wood mulch is often better.
Pine bark nuggets (medium/large) last 2-4 years. Fine bark / bark dust lasts 1-2 years. Cedar and redwood bark last 2-5 years due to their natural decay resistance. Shredded hardwood bark is shortest-lived at 1-2 years. Climate affects longevity significantly- hot, humid climates decompose mulch faster than dry, cool regions.
Bark mulch costs $30 to $80 per cubic yard delivered. Pine bark sits at the low end. Cedar and redwood bark cost $60 to $100 per cubic yard. Bagged bark costs $4 to $8 per 2 cubic foot bag. A 5 cubic yard bulk order saves about 40 percent versus the bagged equivalent.
The bark coverage calculator formula is Length x Width x Depth in inches / 324 = Cubic Yards. A 20 x 10 ft bed at 3 inches deep equals 1.85 cubic yards. Add 10 percent buffer for settling. Use 162 sq ft per yard at 2 inches, 108 sq ft at 3 inches, 81 sq ft at 4 inches.
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