Garden Soil Calculator
Cubic yards of soil or compost for a bed.
Enter your values
ⓘ Live results
Results
- Soil needed
- 2.37 cubic yards
- In cubic feet
- 64
- Bags required
- 43
- Approximate weight
- 2,560 lb
- With 10% settling allowance
- 2.607 cu yd
Working
- 1Volume = 8 × 4 × 1 × 2 = 64 cu ft
Quick answer
Soil volume equals length × width × depth; divide cubic feet by 27 for cubic yards.
Cubic yards = L × W × D (ft) ÷ 27
How to use the Garden Soil Calculator
- 1Measure the bed length and width in feet.
- 2Enter the fill depth in inches.
- 3Set how many identical beds you're filling.
Worked example
Using the values the calculator loads with:
Inputs
- Bed length8 ft
- Bed width4 ft
- Fill depth12 in
- Number of beds2
- Bag size1.5 cu ft
Results
- Soil needed2.37 cubic yards
- In cubic feet64
- Bags required43
- Approximate weight2,560 lb
- With 10% settling allowance2.607 cu yd
- Volume = 8 × 4 × 1 × 2 = 64 cu ft
Frequently asked questions
What mix should I use for raised beds?
A common blend is 60% topsoil, 30% compost and 10% aeration material like perlite or coarse sand.
Why order 10% extra?
Bulk soil settles and compacts after watering, typically losing an inch of depth in the first month.
About this calculator
- Built and reviewed by James Whitfield · How we build and test calculators
- Report an error
Results are estimates for general information. For medical, legal, structural or financial decisions, confirm with a qualified professional.