Soil Calculator (Cubic Yards and Bags)
Cubic yards, cubic feet, bags and tons of topsoil, garden soil or raised-bed mix for one or more beds.
Cubic yards = length (ft) × width (ft) × depth (in) ÷ 12 ÷ 27. Two 8 × 4 ft raised beds 12 in deep need 64 cu ft; with 15% for settling that is 73.6 cu ft, or 2.7 cubic yards, or 50 bags of 1.5 cu ft.
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How to use it
- Enter each bed's length and width in feet, depth in inches and how many there are.
- Choose the material and a settling allowance.
- Read cubic yards, bags and weight.
What you enter
- Bed dimensions
- Number of beds
- Material
- Settling allowance
- Bag size
What you get
- Cubic yards
- Cubic feet
- Bags
- Approximate weight
Formula
ft³ = L × W × (D in / 12) × count × (1 + settling) | yd³ = ft³ / 27
Worked example: raised beds
Input: Two 8 × 4 ft beds, 12 in deep, 15% settling
Result: 2.73 yd³, 50 bags of 1.5 cu ft
Bulk delivery is likely cheaper than 50 bags.
Questions
How much soil do I need for a raised bed?
Multiply length × width × depth in feet. A 4 × 8 ft bed 12 in deep holds 32 cu ft, about 1.2 cubic yards; add 10–20% because new soil settles.
How many bags of soil are in a cubic yard?
27 cu ft, so 27 one-cubic-foot bags, 18 bags of 1.5 cu ft or 13.5 bags of 2 cu ft.
How much does a cubic yard of topsoil weigh?
About 1 to 1.4 tons dry, and more when wet. Garden mixes with compost are lighter.
Should I buy soil in bags or bulk?
Bulk is usually cheaper above about 2 cubic yards; bags are easier for small jobs and tight access.
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All free tools · By Dr. Zubair Khalid, DVM, MS, PhD.