Quick answer
Bark mulch coverage: one cubic yard ≈ 108 sq ft at 3 inches. Yards needed = bed sq ft ÷ coverage per yard. Plan with the mulch calculator.
Bark mulch coverage table
| Depth | Sq ft per cubic yard | Yards for 200 sq ft |
|---|---|---|
| 2 in | 162 | 1.23 |
| 3 in | 108 | 1.85 |
| 4 in | 81 | 2.47 |
| 6 in | 54 | 3.70 |
Formula: coverage = 27 ÷ depth in feet. Or yards = sq ft × inches ÷ 324.
Bags, bulk & cost
Bagged bark: divide cubic feet by bag size (often 2 cu ft). Bulk landscape mulch is usually cheaper above ~2 cubic yards. Material cost ≈ yards × $/cu yd; installation may be quoted per square foot.
Rubber & playground surfaces
Rubber mulch and playground fiber use the same volume math but often need deeper layers than garden beds. This guide is for planning quantity — not fall-height certification. How-to overview: how to calculate how much mulch I need.