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Reviewed · Prices checked October 2026 · How we calculate

Playground Mulch Calculator: How Much for a Safe Depth?

Enter the area under and around the play set. You get the cubic yards of playground mulch to order at the depth the CPSC recommends, and what it costs delivered.

Inputs

Units
Shape
ft
ft

    Cover the use zone: at least 6 ft past the equipment on every side, more in front of and behind swings.

    in

    Fill 12 in to keep at least 9 in as it packs down.

    Shopping list

    Updates as you type
    22.5cu yd

    of playground mulch for 600 sq ft at 12 in deep

    • 22.5 cu yd of playground mulch$562.50–$1,125
      22.22 cu yd needed, rounded up to the half yard suppliers sell. Ask for wood mulch or fiber certified to ASTM F1292 for playgrounds.

      Typical price (estimate, checked Oct 2026): $25.00–$50.00 per cu yd of playground mulch

      22.5 cu yd × $25.00–$50.00 = $562.50–$1,125Estimate
    • Delivery$50–$150
      One fee for the whole load. It varies with distance, so enter yours.

      Typical price (estimate, checked Oct 2026): $50.00–$150.00 per delivery

      1 delivery × $50.00–$150.00 = $50–$150Estimate
    Total with delivery (estimated)$612.50–$1,275
    Checked Oct 2026
    Show the math
    Area: 30 × 20 ft = 600 sq ft600 sq ft × 12 in ÷ 12 ÷ 27 = 22.22 cu yd → 22.5 cu yd

    Your prices are saved on this device only.

    How it works

    The formula

    cubic yards = area × depth (in) ÷ 12 ÷ 27, rounded up to the half yard

    Assumptions

    • Depth: the CPSC Public Playground Safety Handbook lists 9 in of wood mulch as protecting falls up to 7 ft, and says loose fill compresses at least 25%, so start at 12 in. Top it up when it's down to 9 in.
    • Use zone: the Handbook extends the surfacing at least 6 ft in every direction from the equipment, and further in front of and behind swings.
    • Typical bulk price $25–$50 per cu yd (checked Oct 2026), plus delivery. Ask for mulch or engineered wood fiber made for playgrounds (ASTM F1292 tested), not dyed landscape mulch.

    Worked example

    A 30 × 20 ft play area at 12 in

    1. 600 × 12 ÷ 12 ÷ 27 = 22.22 → 22.5 cu yd

    Cubic yards by play area

    Cubic yards of playground mulch at 9 and 12 inches
    Area9 in12 in
    10 × 10 ft2.83.7
    20 × 15 ft8.311.1
    30 × 20 ft16.722.2
    40 × 30 ft33.344.4

    Questions people ask

    How deep should playground mulch be?

    Start at 12 in and keep at least 9 in, which the CPSC lists as protecting falls from up to 7 ft for wood mulch. For higher equipment, don't just add depth: use a surfacing material tested and rated for that fall height (ASTM F1292).

    Can I use regular landscape mulch?

    Use mulch or engineered wood fiber sold for playgrounds and tested to ASTM F1292. Avoid mulch from treated or painted wood.

    How much area should the mulch cover?

    The use zone around the equipment: at least 6 ft past it on every side, and for swings, twice the height of the pivot in front and behind.