4×8 ft bed at 12 in (default)
Input
8 ft × 4 ft × 12 inOutput
32 cu ft · 1.19 cu yd · 22 bags at 1.5 cu ft8 × 4 × 1 ft depth = 32 cu ft. ÷ 27 = 1.19 yd. Bags: ceil(32 ÷ 1.5) = 22.
Garden soil fill volume is the rectangular planting zone: **length × width × depth**. For US gardeners, measure length and width in feet and fill depth in inches.
**Imperial formula:**
Volume (cu ft) = Length (ft) × Width (ft) × Depth (in) ÷ 12
**Example — standard 4×8 ft bed, 12 in fill (default):**
8 × 4 × (12 ÷ 12) = 32 cu ft
32 ÷ 27 = **1.19 cubic yards**
**Shortcut:** Cubic yards = L × W × D(in) ÷ **324**
Bulk garden soil and blended mixes are sold by the **cubic yard** for delivery. Bagged garden soil is labeled in **cubic feet** (1.0–2.0 cu ft) or liters. Retail premium mixes may list quarts for pots — this tool targets in-ground and raised bed **volume fill**.
**Metric formula:**
Volume (m³) = Length (m) × Width (m) × Depth (cm) ÷ 100
**Example — 2 m × 1 m × 30 cm:**
2 × 1 × 0.30 = **0.6 m³** (600 liters)
Add **5–15% extra** for settling after watering, especially compost-heavy blends. Garden soil is typically a mix of topsoil, compost, and peat or coir — it settles more than straight sand.
The calculator treats each bed as a rectangular prism filled to uniform depth. Multiple identical beds scale linearly. An optional buffer accounts for settling in organic blends.
Formula
cu ft = L(ft) × W(ft) × D(in) ÷ 12 | m³ = L(m) × W(m) × D(cm) ÷ 100 | cu yd = cu ft ÷ 27Tap Herbs & shallow (8 in), Vegetables (12 in), Root crops (18 in), Flower border, or In-ground plot — each sets recommended fill depth with guidance.
Measure inside length and width in feet for framed or dug beds. For irregular plots, use total area mode. Exclude paths and patios.
Building several matching beds? Enter the count on the main form — volume, bags, and blend split multiply automatically (e.g. three 4×4 ft beds).
Bulk nurseries quote blended garden soil by the cubic yard. Results show bag count, estimated bulk weight, DIY blend split, and bulk vs bag guidance.
Buying topsoil, compost, and perlite separately? The 40 / 40 / 20 table shows each component volume for your total fill order.
Enable the buffer on the main form for compost-rich mixes and first fills. Ten percent is the default; sandy blends may need only 5%.
Input
8 ft × 4 ft × 12 inOutput
32 cu ft · 1.19 cu yd · 22 bags at 1.5 cu ft8 × 4 × 1 ft depth = 32 cu ft. ÷ 27 = 1.19 yd. Bags: ceil(32 ÷ 1.5) = 22.
Input
10 ft × 10 ft × 12 inOutput
100 cu ft · 3.70 cu yd100 sq ft × 1 ft depth = 100 cu ft — solid bulk delivery quantity.
Input
4 ft × 4 ft × 8 inOutput
10.7 cu ft · 0.40 cu ydShallower herb bed — 16 sq ft × 8/12 ft = 10.7 cu ft.
Input
2 m × 1 m × 30 cmOutput
0.6 m³ · 600 LStandard metric raised bed equivalent to ~4×8 ft at 12 in.
Common real-world scenarios where this tool saves time.
4×8 ft bed dug to 12 in: 32 cu ft → ~1.19 cu yd. Order 1.25–1.5 yards with buffer. Blend recipe off-site if buying topsoil and compost separately.
Three 4×4 ft beds at 12 in: 16 cu ft each × 3 = 48 cu ft → ~1.78 cu yd total. One bulk delivery beats three separate bag runs.
20×3 ft border at 8 in fill: 60 × 8 ÷ 12 = 40 cu ft → ~1.48 cu yd. Shallower than vegetable depth but same volume math.
EU gardeners use m² and cm for m³ and liter outputs when comparing bulk bag labels at garden centres.
Step-by-step chains that connect related tools for common tasks.
From layout to soil delivery in four steps.
| Depth | Imperial | Metric | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Herbs & shallow roots | 6–8 in | 15–20 cm | Basil, lettuce, annuals |
| Standard vegetables | 10–12 in | 25–30 cm | Tomatoes, peppers — default 12 in |
| Root crops & poor native soil | 12–18 in | 30–45 cm | Carrots, potatoes in ground |
| Surface mulch (separate tool) | 2–4 in | 5–10 cm | Use Mulch Calculator — not fill |
Cubic feet and yards for popular bed footprints.
| Bed size | Cu ft | Cu yd | Bags (1.5 cu ft) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4×4 ft | 16 | 0.59 | 11 |
| 4×8 ft | 32 | 1.19 | 22 |
| 4×10 ft | 40 | 1.48 | 27 |
| 10×10 ft | 100 | 3.70 | 67 |
Round yards and bags up; buffer not included.
| Material | Typical depth | Role | Calculator |
|---|---|---|---|
| Topsoil | 2–6 in | Grade & mineral base | Topsoil Calculator |
| Compost | 1–3 in | Organic amendment | Compost Calculator |
| Garden soil blend | 8–12 in | Planting fill | This tool |
| Mulch | 2–4 in | Surface cover | Mulch Calculator |
| Volume needed | Best format | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Under 1 cu yd | Bagged retail | Easier transport; higher $/cu ft |
| 1–3 cu yd | Compare both | Delivery minimum vs pallet labor |
| 3+ cu yd | Bulk delivery | Best $/cu yd; needs access for dump |
Premium organic bagged mix can exceed bulk cost even at 2+ yards on small sites.
Thin amendment layers use **Compost Calculator**. This tool is for **full fill depth** (8–12+ in).
Quality garden mix includes compost and aeration. Straight topsoil compacts — blend or buy pre-mixed.
Measure **inside** dimensions where soil will actually sit.
Organic blends drop 10–15% after irrigation. Use the buffer or plan a follow-up top-up.
32 cu ft is about 1.2 yards, not 32 yards. One yard = 27 cu ft.
Weeds penetrate gaps. Remove sod, edge cleanly, then fill — fabric is optional and debated for veg beds.
Bagged **potting mix** for containers is priced per quart. Garden bed fill uses cu ft or cu yd bags — check label volume.
Mulch is 2–4 in on the surface. Garden soil **fill** is 8–12 in below that — use Mulch Calculator separately for the top layer.
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32 cubic feet, or about 1.19 cubic yards. At 1.5 cu ft per bag, plan for 22 bags before buffer. Add 10% for compost-heavy mixes that settle.
Garden soil (or raised bed mix) is for in-ground and framed beds — heavier, with mineral content. Potting mix is lighter for containers. This calculator targets bed **volume fill**, not pots.
12 inches is the standard target for most vegetables — the default in this calculator. Leafy greens may thrive at 8 in; carrots and potatoes benefit from 12–18 in.
Cubic yards = length (ft) × width (ft) × depth (in) ÷ 324. Or: (L × W × D in feet) ÷ 27.
Yes — the math is identical for rectangular fill. Garden Soil Calculator emphasizes blended in-ground beds; Raised Bed Soil Calculator targets framed kits. Use whichever matches your project language.
27 cu ft per yard. At 1.5 cu ft bags, that's 18 bags. At 2 cu ft, 14 bags. Always round up.
Include aeration in your total blend volume. If your recipe is 20% perlite, order 20% of the calculated total as perlite by volume.
Yes — organic components compress 10–15% after watering. Enable the buffer or keep a few extra bags for top-up.
One 4×4 bed = 16 cu ft. Three beds = 48 cu ft ≈ 1.78 cubic yards. Order 2 yards with buffer.
Above ~1.5 cubic yards, bulk blended soil usually wins on cost if you can receive delivery. Bags make sense for one small bed or rooftop access limits.
Garden bed dimensions used here are processed entirely in-browser — we do not log, share, or retain your soil volume inputs on EverydayTools infrastructure.
Volume estimates only — not agronomic consulting or commercial quantity surveying. Confirm blend specifications and order quantities with your supplier.
Part of Calculator Tools
More free tools for the same workflow.
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Reviewed on 2026-06-27.
What are you planting?
12 in — standard tomato and pepper beds (default).
Same size and depth — multiplies total volume (e.g. three 4×4 ft beds).
Fill depth presets
Use case chips set depth — 8 in herbs, 12 in vegetables, 18 in root crops. Not mulch depth (2–4 in).
Bagged garden soil — often 1.0–2.0 cu ft. Leave blank to skip bag count.
1 cubic yard covers
| Depth | Sq ft |
|---|---|
| 1 in | 324 |
| 2 in | 162 |
| 3 in | 108 |
| 4 in | 81 |
Bag coverage at 12 in depth
| Bag | Covers | Per cu yd |
|---|---|---|
| 1 cu ft bag | 1 sq ft | 27 bags |
| 1.5 cu ft (40 L) | 2 sq ft | 18 bags |
| 2 cu ft bag | 2 sq ft | 14 bags |
| 3 cu ft bag | 3 sq ft | 9 bags |