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Soil Calculator

Calculate soil for gardens and raised beds

Units

Soil Needed

1.19 yd³

Cubic Feet

32

1 CF Bags

36

Weight

1760 lbs

Recommended: 6-12 inches for most gardens

Weight per Cu Ft55 lbs
Bulk Price per Yard$55
Bag Price (1 cf)$10

Recommended Soil Depths

Lawn topdressing1-2 inches
Overseeding lawns2-4 inches
Annual flowers6 inches
Perennial flowers8-10 inches
Vegetables10-12 inches
Root vegetables12-18 inches
Shrubs & trees18-24 inches
Cubic Feet

32

Weight

1760 lbs

1 CF Bags

36

Bulk Cost

$65

Volume

Cubic Yards1.19 yd³
Cubic Feet32 ft³
Weight1760 lbs

Pickup Truck Loads

~2 full truck beds (loose fill)

2

Bag Options (with 10% extra)

40 lb Bags (~0.5 cf)49 bags
1 Cu Ft Bags36 bags
2 Cu Ft Bags18 bags

Cost Comparison

Bulk Delivery$65
Bagged (1 cf)$360

Best for large projects

Convenient for small jobs

Frequently Asked Questions

Q

How much soil do I need for a raised bed?

Cubic feet = Length × Width × Depth (all in feet). Cubic yards = Cubic feet ÷ 27. A 4×8 bed at 12" deep = 4×8×1 = 32 cu ft = 1.2 cubic yards. Add 10-15% for settling.

  • Formula: L × W × D (feet) ÷ 27 = Cubic yards
  • 1 cubic yard = 27 cubic feet
  • Add 10-15% for settling over time
  • Soil settles 1-2" after watering
  • May need to top off after first season
Bed Size6" Deep12" Deep18" Deep
4×4 ft0.3 cu yd (8 cu ft)0.6 cu yd (16 cu ft)0.9 cu yd (24 cu ft)
4×8 ft0.6 cu yd (16 cu ft)1.2 cu yd (32 cu ft)1.8 cu yd (48 cu ft)
4×12 ft0.9 cu yd (24 cu ft)1.8 cu yd (48 cu ft)2.7 cu yd (72 cu ft)
3×6 ft0.3 cu yd (9 cu ft)0.7 cu yd (18 cu ft)1.0 cu yd (27 cu ft)
Q

How deep should soil be for vegetables?

12 inches is standard for most vegetables. 6-8" for lettuce, herbs, and shallow roots. 12-18" for tomatoes, peppers, and deep roots. 18-24" for carrots and root vegetables. Deeper = better drainage and root growth.

  • 12" is the sweet spot for most gardens
  • Shallower beds dry out faster
  • Deeper beds need more soil = more cost
  • Can fill bottom with sticks/logs (hugelkultur)
Soil DepthBest ForCrop Examples
6-8 inchesShallow rootsLettuce, herbs, onions, radishes
10-12 inchesMost vegetablesPeppers, beans, cucumbers
12-18 inchesDeep rootsTomatoes, squash, eggplant
18-24 inchesRoot cropsCarrots, potatoes, parsnips
Q

What soil mix should I use for raised beds?

60% topsoil + 30% compost + 10% perlite/vermiculite is ideal. Or use "Mel's Mix" (equal parts peat moss, vermiculite, compost). Pre-mixed "raised bed soil" works but is pricier. Never use only topsoil.

  • Topsoil alone: Too heavy, poor drainage
  • Add compost: Nutrients + drainage
  • Add perlite: Aeration + drainage
  • pH: Most veggies prefer 6.0-7.0
  • Test soil: Add amendments as needed
Soil TypeBest ForCost/Cu YdNotes
Garden soil mixRaised beds$35-55Topsoil + compost blend
Topsoil onlyFill, not planting$20-35Compacts, needs amending
Mel's MixSquare foot gardening$75-100Light, excellent drainage
Bagged raised bed mixSmall beds$5-8/cu ftConvenient, premium price
Q

Bulk soil vs bagged: Which should I buy?

Bulk saves 50-70% for 1+ cubic yards. Bagged: $5-10/cu ft. Bulk: $35-55/cu yd delivered. Break-even at ~1 cubic yard. Bulk needs wheelbarrow and labor. Bags are convenient for small projects.

  • *Prices vary by location and soil type
  • Bulk minimum: Usually 1-3 cubic yards
  • Delivery fee: Often $50-100
  • Ask for "garden mix" or "raised bed blend"
  • Avoid "fill dirt" for planting
AmountBagged Cost*Bulk Cost*Winner
10 cu ft$50-80N/A (minimum)Bagged
27 cu ft (1 cu yd)$135-200$85-150Bulk
54 cu ft (2 cu yd)$270-400$120-200Bulk saves $150+
Q

How many bags of soil for my raised bed?

Calculate cubic feet needed, divide by bag size. 4×8 bed at 12" deep = 32 cu ft. 32 ÷ 1 cu ft bags = 32 bags. Or 32 ÷ 2 cu ft bags = 16 bags. Big box stores sell 1, 1.5, and 2 cu ft bags.

  • Check bag volume (not just weight)
  • 40 lb bag ≈ 0.5-0.75 cu ft
  • Bagged soil costs $4-10 per cu ft
  • For 1+ cubic yards: Consider bulk delivery
Bed Size (12" deep)1 cu ft bags1.5 cu ft bags2 cu ft bags
4×4 ft (16 cu ft)16 bags11 bags8 bags
4×8 ft (32 cu ft)32 bags22 bags16 bags
4×12 ft (48 cu ft)48 bags32 bags24 bags
Q

Do I need to replace raised bed soil?

No full replacement needed if you maintain it. Add 1-2" of compost annually. Soil level drops as organic matter decomposes - top up yearly. After 3-5 years, consider soil test and amendment.

  • Annual: Add 1-2" compost on top
  • Soil settles: Top up to maintain level
  • Every 3-5 years: Soil test for nutrients
  • Rotate crops: Prevents nutrient depletion
  • Cover crops: Add nitrogen in off-season
  • Never leave soil bare (erosion, nutrient loss)
Q

How much does soil weigh per cubic yard?

Soil weight varies by type: topsoil weighs about 2,025 lbs per cubic yard, garden mix about 1,890 lbs, and potting mix about 1,080 lbs. A standard pickup truck holds about 1 cubic yard of loose soil.

  • Full-size pickup: ~1 cubic yard capacity
  • Half-ton truck: Don't exceed 1,000 lbs payload
  • Wet soil weighs 20-30% more than dry
  • For 2+ cubic yards, bulk delivery is safer
  • 40 lb bag = ~0.5-0.75 cu ft depending on soil type
Soil TypeLbs per Cu FtLbs per Cu YdPickup Loads (1 yd)
Topsoil75 lbs2,025 lbs1 load
Garden Mix70 lbs1,890 lbs1 load
Raised Bed Mix55 lbs1,485 lbs1 load
Compost50 lbs1,350 lbs1 load
Potting Mix40 lbs1,080 lbs1 load

Example Calculations

1Raised Garden Bed with Raised Bed Mix

Inputs

Length8 ft
Width4 ft
Depth12 inches
Soil TypeRaised Bed Mix

Result

Soil Needed1.19 cubic yards
Cubic Feet32
Weight1,760 lbs
40 lb Bags49
1 Cu Ft Bags36
2 Cu Ft Bags18
Bulk Cost$65
Bagged Cost$360

Cubic feet = 8 × 4 × (12/12) = 32. Cubic yards = 32 / 27 = 1.19. With 10% settling: 35.2 cu ft. 1 cu ft bags = ceil(35.2) = 36. Bulk = 1.19 × $55 = $65. Bagged = 36 × $10 = $360.

2Flower Bed with Topsoil

Inputs

Length12 ft
Width6 ft
Depth6 inches
Soil TypeTopsoil

Result

Soil Needed1.33 cubic yards
Cubic Feet36
Weight2,700 lbs
40 lb Bags75
1 Cu Ft Bags40
2 Cu Ft Bags20
Bulk Cost$40
Bagged Cost$160

Cubic feet = 12 × 6 × (6/12) = 36. Cubic yards = 36 / 27 = 1.33. With 10% settling: 39.6 cu ft. 1 cu ft bags = ceil(39.6) = 40. Bulk = 1.33 × $30 = $40. Bagged = 40 × $4 = $160.

3Large Raised Bed with Garden Soil Mix

Inputs

Length16 ft
Width4 ft
Depth12 inches
Soil TypeGarden Soil Mix

Result

Soil Needed2.37 cubic yards
Cubic Feet64
Weight4,480 lbs
40 lb Bags124
1 Cu Ft Bags71
2 Cu Ft Bags36
Bulk Cost$107
Bagged Cost$426

Cubic feet = 16 × 4 × (12/12) = 64. Cubic yards = 64 / 27 = 2.37. With 10% settling: 70.4 cu ft. 1 cu ft bags = ceil(70.4) = 71. Bulk = 2.37 × $45 = $107. Bagged = 71 × $6 = $426. Bulk delivery saves over $300.

Formulas Used

Soil Volume

Cubic Yards = (Length × Width × Depth / 12) / 27

Calculates the volume of soil needed in cubic yards from dimensions in feet and depth in inches.

Where:

Length= Bed length in feet
Width= Bed width in feet
Depth= Soil depth in inches (divided by 12 to convert to feet)

Bags Needed (with 10% settling allowance)

Bags (1 cu ft) = ceil(Cubic Feet × 1.1) | Bags (40 lb) = ceil(Adjusted cu ft / (40 / lbs per cu ft))

Calculates bags needed with 10% extra for settling. 40 lb bag volume varies by soil weight.

Where:

Cubic Feet= Length × Width × (Depth / 12)
lbs per cu ft= Soil density (Topsoil: 75, Garden Mix: 70, Potting Mix: 40, Compost: 50, Raised Bed Mix: 55)

Cost Comparison

Bulk = Cubic Yards × Cost per Yard | Bagged = Bags (1 cf) × Bag Price

Compares bulk delivery cost versus purchasing individual bags.

Where:

Cost per Yard= Bulk price per cubic yard for selected soil type
Bag Price= Price per 1 cubic foot bag for selected soil type

Getting the Right Amount of Soil

Calculating soil needs accurately prevents costly over-ordering or project-delaying shortages. The key is measuring your area precisely and accounting for depth - soil is typically measured in cubic yards for bulk orders or cubic feet for bagged products.

Soil settles after filling raised beds, typically losing 10-15% of volume. Order extra to account for this, or plan to top off beds after the first growing season. Watering new beds helps settle soil faster.

Soil quality matters more than quantity. Premium raised bed mixes cost more but provide better drainage, nutrition, and root development. For vegetable gardens, investing in quality soil pays off in healthier plants and better harvests.

Related Resources

  • Mulch Calculator

    Calculate mulch for garden beds

  • Gravel Calculator

    Calculate gravel for paths and drainage

  • Concrete Calculator

    Calculate concrete for raised bed walls

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Last Updated: Feb 13, 2026

This calculator is provided for informational and educational purposes only. Results are estimates and should not be considered professional financial, medical, legal, or other advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making important decisions. UseCalcPro is not responsible for any actions taken based on calculator results.

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