Less guesswork. More groundwork.
Raised-bed soil calculator
Work out how much soil fills your raised beds, then compare how to buy it.
The math, in the open
From measurements to materials.
Multiply by 1 + your allowance percentage, then round up to whole bags or your supplier’s bulk increments.
How much soil fills an 8 × 4 foot bed?
At an interior fill depth of 12 inches, an 8 × 4 foot bed holds 32 cubic feet, or about 1.185 cubic yards. That is 16 bags at 2 cubic feet each, before any extra allowance. Actual inside dimensions may be smaller than the nominal bed size.
Why is the bulk order larger than the estimate?
The estimate is the volume your measurements require. The order quantity rounds that volume up to your supplier’s increment and minimum. You can change both under “Adjust order rounding & extra material.”
A little know-how goes a long way.
All field guidesBags or bulk: compare the full cost
Delivery and order minimums can change which option costs less.
Compare your optionsCubic yards, cubic feet, and bags
Make sense of the units before you place an order.
Get the conversionsMeasure a garden bed accurately
Turn rectangles, circles, and awkward corners into usable measurements.
Start measuring
Before the garden center
Measure twice.
Make one trip.
A few careful measurements are the best place to start. Break an irregular bed into smaller shapes, check your depth, and keep your supplier’s bag size handy.
The measuring guide