Soil Calculator
Recommended depth: 1–2 inches for topdressing, 4–6 inches for new lawn
Add extra to account for soil settling after watering (recommended: 10–15%)
Cost Comparison (optional)
Enter Your Project Dimensions
Fill in your area dimensions and desired soil depth to see cubic yards, bag counts, and weight estimates.
How to Use the Soil Calculator
Choose Your Input Mode
Select 'Length × Width × Depth' for rectangular beds and lawns, 'Area × Depth' if you already know your total square footage, or 'Container / Pot' for round planters. Then choose your project type to see recommended soil depth for that application.
Enter Your Dimensions
Type your measurements in the input fields. You can switch between inches, feet, yards, centimeters, or meters using the unit dropdown. Enter your target soil depth — commonly 4 inches for lawns, 6 inches for flower beds, and 12 inches for vegetable gardens.
Select Bag Size and Buffer
Choose the bag size sold at your local garden center (most common is 1.5 cu ft). Select a settlement buffer of 10–15% to ensure you have enough soil after it settles from watering and foot traffic. Optionally enter bag and bulk prices for a cost comparison.
Review Results and Order
The calculator shows your volume in cubic yards, cubic feet, and bags needed (rounded up so you always have enough). Check the weight estimates for transport planning. Use Export CSV to save your results, or Print to take a reference sheet to the store.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many cubic yards of soil do I need for a 4×8 raised bed at 12 inches deep?
A 4×8 foot raised bed at 12 inches (1 foot) deep requires 4 × 8 × 1 = 32 cubic feet of soil. Dividing by 27 gives approximately 1.19 cubic yards. In practice, you would order 1.25 cubic yards to account for slight settling or order 22 bags of 1.5 cu ft bagged raised bed mix. This calculator performs that math instantly and lets you compare bag versus bulk cost to find the more economical option for your situation.
What is the difference between topsoil, garden soil, raised bed mix, and potting mix?
Topsoil is natural earth taken from the ground surface and is best for filling low spots, topdressing lawns, or general grading. It may contain clay and compacts over time. Garden soil is topsoil enriched with compost and organic matter, formulated for in-ground flower beds and vegetable gardens. Raised bed mix is lighter and more porous than garden soil, designed for elevated planters where drainage and root aeration are critical. Potting mix is the lightest blend, specifically for container plants — it drains freely and resists compaction in pots. Using the wrong type can lead to poor drainage, root rot, or nutrient deficiency, so matching product to project is essential.
Why should I add a 10–15% settlement buffer?
Freshly delivered or poured soil — especially loose, fluffy potting mixes and raised bed blends — contains a lot of air pockets. After the first few waterings and any foot traffic around the bed, the soil settles and the surface drops. A 10% buffer is standard for most garden beds using typical garden or raised bed soil. A 15% buffer is more appropriate for very loose, bark-heavy blends or deep fills over 12 inches. Without this extra volume, your raised bed will look only partially filled after the first season, and you will need to top it up anyway. Ordering the right amount upfront saves time and avoids delivery fees.
How do I calculate soil for an irregularly shaped bed?
This calculator handles rectangular and circular (container) shapes. For L-shaped, curved, or other irregular beds, divide your bed into simple rectangular sections — for example, an L-shaped bed can be split into two rectangles. Calculate each section separately using the Area × Depth mode if you measure each section's area, then add the totals together. For curved borders, measure the average width and multiply by the total length. When in doubt, round up slightly to ensure you have enough material rather than running short mid-project.
How much does a cubic yard of soil weigh?
Soil weight varies significantly based on type, moisture, and organic content. As a general rule, dry or loose soil weighs approximately 1.1 short tons (2,200 lbs) per cubic yard, while wet or packed soil can weigh up to 1.6 tons (3,200 lbs) per cubic yard. Heavy clay soils can exceed these estimates, while lightweight potting mixes weigh considerably less — sometimes under 800 lbs per cubic yard. These weight figures matter for transport: a standard pickup truck bed can typically handle about 0.5 to 1 cubic yard safely. For larger bulk orders, professional delivery is strongly recommended to avoid overloading your vehicle.
Is bagged soil or bulk soil more cost-effective?
For projects under about 1 cubic yard, bagged soil is typically more convenient and comparably priced. For projects requiring 1 cubic yard or more, bulk topsoil from a landscape supplier is almost always cheaper per cubic foot — sometimes by 40–60%. The trade-off is that bulk delivery requires a truck, adequate access to your yard, and usually a minimum order quantity of 1 cubic yard. Bagged soil avoids delivery logistics and allows precise quantities without waste. Use the cost comparison fields in this calculator to enter your local bag price and bulk price per yard to find the break-even point for your specific project.