Raised Bed Soil Calculator
Work out how much soil you need to fill one or more raised garden beds, in cubic feet, cubic yards, liters and bags. Pick a mix recipe to get a shopping list for each ingredient.
Fill depth, usually 1–2 in (3–5 cm) below the rim
New beds sink 10–20% in the first season
Common bags: 0.75, 1, 1.5, 2 or 3 cu ft
Common bags: 40, 50, 60 or 70 liters
How to use the Raised Bed Soil Calculator
- Choose units: feet and inches, or meters and centimeters.
- Enter the bed size: length and width (or diameter for a round bed) and how deep you will fill it.
- Set the number of beds and an extra percentage for settling.
- Pick a soil mix and bag size to see how many bags of each ingredient to buy.
- Copy the results or download the shopping list as CSV.
Raised bed soil formula
A raised bed is a box, so its soil volume is length × width × depth. Use the same unit for all three:
- Feet: cubic feet = length (ft) × width (ft) × depth (in) ÷ 12. Cubic yards = cubic feet ÷ 27.
- Metric: cubic meters = length (m) × width (m) × depth (cm) ÷ 100. Liters = cubic meters × 1,000.
- Round beds: replace length × width with π × (diameter ÷ 2)².
- Bags: total volume ÷ bag size, rounded up. 1 cubic foot = 28.32 liters.
Soil for common raised bed sizes
| Bed size | Depth | Cubic feet | Cubic yards | 1.5 cu ft bags |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 × 4 ft | 12 in | 8 | 0.30 | 6 |
| 3 × 6 ft | 12 in | 18 | 0.67 | 12 |
| 4 × 4 ft | 12 in | 16 | 0.59 | 11 |
| 4 × 8 ft | 6 in | 16 | 0.59 | 11 |
| 4 × 8 ft | 12 in | 32 | 1.19 | 22 |
| 4 × 8 ft | 18 in | 48 | 1.78 | 32 |
| 4 × 12 ft | 12 in | 48 | 1.78 | 32 |
| Round, 4 ft across | 18 in | 18.85 | 0.70 | 13 |
Figures are the exact fill volume without the settling allowance. Add 10–20% if you are filling a brand new bed with loose material.
Tips for filling a raised bed
- Very deep beds (24 in / 60 cm and more) can be bulked out at the bottom with logs, branches and leaves (the hügelkultur method) to cut the soil bill. Subtract that depth before calculating.
- Peat moss and coco coir are sold compressed: a 3.8 cu ft compressed bale of peat moss loosens to roughly 7–8 cu ft, so check the "loose fill" volume on the label.
- Water each layer as you fill, then top up after a week once the soil has settled.
Frequently asked questions
How much soil do I need for a 4×8 raised bed?
A 4 × 8 ft bed filled 12 inches deep holds 32 cubic feet, about 1.19 cubic yards. With 10% extra for settling that is about 35.2 cubic feet, or 24 bags of 1.5 cubic feet.
How do I calculate soil for a raised bed?
Multiply length × width × depth with all three in the same unit. In feet, convert the depth from inches by dividing by 12: 8 × 4 × (12 ÷ 12) = 32 cubic feet. Divide cubic feet by 27 for cubic yards.
How many bags of soil do I need?
Divide the total volume by the bag size and round up. 35.2 cubic feet ÷ 1.5 cubic feet per bag = 23.5, so buy 24 bags. Bag sizes are printed on the bag in cubic feet or liters.
Why add extra soil for settling?
Fresh soil and compost contain air pockets and organic matter that compact and break down. A newly filled bed commonly sinks 10–20% in the first season, so adding about 10% extra or topping up later is normal.
What is a good soil mix for raised beds?
A popular blend is equal parts compost, peat moss or coco coir, and coarse vermiculite (often called Mel's Mix). A cheaper bulk option is about 60% screened topsoil, 30% compost and 10% perlite or pumice for drainage.
How deep should a raised bed be filled?
Most vegetables do well in 8–12 inches (20–30 cm) of good soil. Deep-rooted crops like tomatoes, carrots and potatoes benefit from 12–18 inches. Leave 1–2 inches below the rim for mulch and watering.
Is bulk soil cheaper than bags?
Usually, once you need more than about 1–2 cubic yards. One cubic yard equals 27 cubic feet, which is 18 bags of 1.5 cubic feet, but delivery fees apply, so compare the total cost.