Mulch Calculator for Playgrounds
Estimate playground mulch for a cushioned, safe fall surface.
Playground areas need a much deeper layer — typically 6 inches or more of engineered wood fiber or play mulch to cushion falls. The calculator starts at 6 inches; check the fall-height rating of your surfacing for the exact depth your equipment needs.
Mulch Calculator
Estimate how much you need — and the cost.
- cubic feet 50
- cubic meters 1.416
- tons (US) 0.74
- tonnes 0.67
Tip: For safety surfacing, follow the product's fall-height chart — taller equipment requires a deeper mulch layer.
How it's calculated
1 cubic yard covers about 324 sq ft at 1 in deep / about 108 sq ft at 3 in deep; one 2 cu ft bag covers about 12 sq ft at 2 in deep.
See the full Mulch Calculator for the complete how-to, unit conversions, and data sources.
Mulch Calculator for Playgrounds FAQ
How deep should playground mulch be?
At least 6 inches, and often 9–12 inches under taller equipment, to meet fall-protection guidelines. Check the product rating.
How much playground mulch do I need?
Multiply the play area by your required depth and divide by 324 for cubic yards. A 300 sq ft area at 6 inches needs about 5.6 cubic yards.