MyYardCalc
Landscaping · Material planning

Soil Volume Calculator

Estimate soil to fill a measured bed or add a layer. Convert dimensions to cubic yards, cubic meters and bags with an editable allowance.

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Your project

US & metric

Example values are filled in. Replace them with your measurements.

ft
ft
sq ft

Add other measured sections without counting overlaps twice.

sq ft
in
%

An editable purchasing margin, not a measured compaction rate.

cu ft

Use the labeled volume of the product you plan to buy.

lb / cu yd

Optional. Enter the density of this product to estimate weight.

$
$ / cu yd
$

Enter 0 if included. Bulk cost remains blank until delivery is specified.

Enter your measurements

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The calculation

Volume = net area × depth × (1 + extra ÷ 100). Weight = volume × supplier density.

  • Enter your supplier’s bulk density to show weight. Volume alone cannot determine tons.
  • 10% extra is included once. Confirm supplier minimums and delivery increments.

Saved on this device

Only estimates you choose to save are stored here.

    Measure with a little context

    How to use this soil calculator

    Measure usable interior dimensions for planters. Subtract existing soil or drainage structures by using the remaining fill depth.

    Growing mixes and mineral topsoil are not interchangeable. Confirm the product’s intended application before ordering.

    Volume = net area × depth × (1 + extra ÷ 100). Weight = volume × supplier density.

    A worked example

    With the example values shown below, the calculated result is 1.956 cu yd. These are demonstration inputs, not installation specifications.

    View the example measurements
    • Length / circle diameter: 12 ft
    • Width: 8 ft
    • Material depth: 6 in
    • Extra allowance: 10 %
    • Volume per bag: 2 cu ft

    From estimate to order

    Whole packages and pieces round up; measured lengths, areas and volumes keep full precision during calculation. Match the product dimensions and units to your quote, and check cuts, minimum orders and delivery before purchasing.

    Read our formulas, rounding rules and limitations →

    Raised bed soil: measure the space still to fill

    Measure inside the bed walls. For a bed that is 18 inches deep but already contains 10 inches of material, enter the remaining 8 inches. Subtract space occupied by a false bottom or other filling separately; do not order the entire outer box volume again.

    Example: a 4 × 8 ft bed, internal dimensions
    Remaining fill depthSoil volume2 ft³ bags
    6 inches16 ft³ · 0.593 yd³8
    12 inches32 ft³ · 1.185 yd³16
    18 inches48 ft³ · 1.778 yd³24

    Volumes are before allowance and rounded only for display. These depths illustrate quantities, not a recommended root-zone depth. Apply any chosen reserve to the unrounded total, then round up the final bag count.

    Litres, tapered pots and separate layers

    A straight-sided box with internal dimensions 120 × 80 cm and 30 cm left to fill needs 288 litres. At 40 litres per bag that is 8 bags before allowance. Metric calculator inputs use metres for length and width, so enter 1.2 × 0.8 m and 30 cm depth.

    The rectangle and circle modes assume vertical sides. For a pot that narrows toward the base, use its stated usable capacity or a container-specific volume calculation. Top diameter alone overestimates the volume of a tapered pot. Calculate each separately specified soil layer on its own; the tool does not choose a soil recipe.

    For a surface layer, continue with the mulch calculator. A separate compost quantity belongs in the compost calculator. Compare soil volume and ordering units before buying.

    Soil planning questions

    Can I calculate soil for a raised garden bed?

    For a simple rectangular or circular bed, enter its internal dimensions and the remaining depth to fill. Subtract occupied volume by calculating the relevant sections separately. The result is total soil volume; it does not split a recipe into compost, topsoil or other ingredients.

    How do I convert soil cubic yards to bags?

    Multiply cubic yards by 27 to obtain cubic feet, divide by the bag’s cubic-foot volume and round up. In metric units, one cubic meter equals 1,000 liters. Use the printed bag volume instead of a weight-based assumption.

    How much soil fills a 4 by 8 foot raised bed?

    At an inside fill depth of 12 inches, a 4 × 8 ft bed holds 32 cubic feet, about 1.185 cubic yards or 906.14 litres, before allowance. At 6 inches the volume halves to 16 cubic feet. Measure the remaining empty depth when soil is already present, and use inside dimensions rather than the outside dimensions of the frame.

    Calculation notes updated . Formulas, sources and limitations.

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