Raised Bed Soil Volume Calculator
Calculate how much soil you need to fill a raised garden bed. Fast, free, and fully client-side.
Calculator Inputs
How the Raised Bed Soil Volume Calculator Works
Calculates the volume of soil needed to fill a rectangular raised garden bed from its length, width, and fill height, reporting the result in both cubic feet and cubic yards — the units most bagged and bulk soil is sold in.
Formula
Cubic Feet = Length (ft) × Width (ft) × (Height (in) ÷ 12) · Cubic Yards = Cubic Feet ÷ 27
Fill height is entered in inches (a more natural unit for bed depth) and converted to feet before multiplying, since length and width are in feet. One cubic yard equals 27 cubic feet, the standard unit bulk soil and compost are sold in.
Calculation Example
An 8ft × 4ft bed filled 12" deep: 8 × 4 × (12/12) = 32 cubic feet = 32 / 27 ≈ 1.19 cubic yards.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I fill all the way to the top of the bed?
Most gardeners leave an inch or two of headroom below the rim to prevent soil from spilling out when watering — enter your intended fill depth, not necessarily the full bed height.
Why does bulk soil get sold in cubic yards?
Cubic yards are the standard bulk unit for soil, mulch, and compost delivered by landscaping suppliers, while bagged soil is typically sold in cubic feet — this calculator gives you both.
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