Topsoil calculator
Make room for a little more green.
Find topsoil or raised-bed soil volume in cubic yards, cubic meters, and bags, with optional cost comparisons.
Clear math. Better decisions.
A worked example
A raised bed measuring 8 × 4 ft inside and filled 12 inches deep holds 32 cubic feet before allowance. That equals about 1.19 cubic yards or 32 one-cubic-foot bags.
Before you order
- Use the inside dimensions for a raised bed, excluding wall thickness.
- Subtract existing soil by entering only the remaining fill depth.
- Settling depends on the product and installation. There is no universal settling factor built into this estimate.
Good questions.
Can I use this for compost?
Yes, for volume and package arithmetic. Enter the compost layer depth and the volume printed on its bag. Selecting the right soil blend or amendment rate is a separate decision.
Why not calculate soil bags by weight?
Weight alone does not identify volume: moisture and composition affect density. Use bag volume when available, or obtain a volume-to-weight conversion from the supplier.
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