Soil Volume Calculator
The Soil Volume Calculator computes the exact amount of topsoil, mulch, compost, or potting mix for rectangular, circular, and L-shaped garden beds. It shows results in cubic feet, cubic yards, and liters with weight estimates and bag counts. Features an interactive SVG shape diagram — free, no signup required.
Common Bed Sizes
Bed Dimensions
Volume & Material Estimate
Cubic Feet
32ft³
Cubic Yards
1.19yd³
Cubic Meters
0.906m³
Liters
906.1L
Estimated Weight
2,496 lbs
Estimated Weight
1,132 kg
Bags Needed
1 cu ft bag
32
2 cu ft bag
16
3 cu ft bag
11
40 L bag
23
Cost Estimate
Bed Shape Diagram
Coverage Reference
| Depth | Area Covered per Cubic Yard |
|---|---|
| 1 in | 324 ft² |
| 2 in | 162 ft² |
| 3 in | 108 ft² |
| 4 in | 81 ft² |
| 6 in | 54 ft² |
| 8 in | 40.5 ft² |
| 10 in | 32.4 ft² |
| 12 in | 27 ft² |
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What is a Soil Volume Calculator?
A soil volume calculator determines the exact quantity of soil, mulch, compost, or other fill material needed for a garden bed, raised planter, or container. It uses the dimensions of your planting area — length, width, and depth — to compute the total volume in cubic feet, cubic yards, or liters. For raised beds, the standard formula is Volume = Length × Width × Depth. A 4×8 ft raised bed that is 12 inches deep requires 32 cubic feet (about 1.19 cubic yards) of soil. For circular beds, the formula is Volume = π × r² × Depth. Knowing the exact volume prevents overbuying — a 10% surplus is typically recommended to account for settling.
How to Use This Calculator
- Select the bed shape: rectangular, circular, L-shaped, or triangular
- Enter the dimensions (length, width, depth) in your preferred unit system
- Choose the material type (topsoil, compost, mulch, etc.) for weight estimates
- View volume in cubic feet, cubic yards, liters, and the number of bags needed
- Optionally enter bag price to estimate the total cost
Frequently Asked Questions
How much soil do I need for a 4x8 raised bed?
A standard 4×8 ft raised bed that is 12 inches (1 ft) deep needs 32 cubic feet of soil, which is about 1.19 cubic yards. If you use 2 cu ft bags, that is 16 bags. For a 6-inch depth, you need 16 cubic feet (8 bags of 2 cu ft). A typical 50/50 mix of topsoil and compost works well for most vegetables.
How do I convert cubic feet to cubic yards?
Divide the cubic feet by 27 to get cubic yards. One cubic yard equals 27 cubic feet (3 ft × 3 ft × 3 ft). For example, 54 cubic feet ÷ 27 = 2 cubic yards. Most bulk soil suppliers sell by the cubic yard, while bagged products are measured in cubic feet or liters.
How much does garden soil weigh per cubic foot?
Topsoil weighs about 75–80 lbs per cubic foot (dry) and up to 100 lbs when wet. Compost averages 40–50 lbs/cu ft. Mulch is lighter at 15–25 lbs/cu ft. Gravel is the heaviest at 95–100 lbs/cu ft. A full cubic yard of topsoil weighs roughly 2,000–2,200 lbs (about 1 ton), which is important when planning delivery.
Should I add extra soil to account for settling?
Yes. Fresh soil typically settles 10–15% over the first few months as air pockets compact and organic matter decomposes. Add 10% extra when filling a new bed. For example, if you calculate 30 cubic feet, order about 33 cubic feet. Compost and mulch settle more (up to 20–25%) than mineral soil.