Standard 4×8 vegetable bed
Input
8 ft × 4 ft × 12 in deep · 1 bedOutput
32 cu ft · 1.19 cu yd · ~22 bags at 1.5 cu ft8 × 4 × 1 ft depth = 32 cu ft. Divide by 27 for yards. Bags: ceil(32 ÷ 1.5) = 22.
Raised bed soil volume is the rectangular space inside your frame: **length × width × depth**. For US gardeners, measure length and width in feet and depth in inches; divide depth by 12 to convert inches to feet before multiplying.
**Imperial formula:**
Volume (cu ft) = Length (ft) × Width (ft) × Depth (in) ÷ 12
**Example — standard 4×8 ft bed, 12 in deep:**
8 × 4 × (12 ÷ 12) = 32 cu ft
32 ÷ 27 = **1.19 cubic yards**
Bulk soil and compost are often sold by the **cubic yard** for delivery. Bagged mixes are labeled in **cubic feet** (common sizes: 1.0, 1.5, or 2.0 cu ft). Retail potting mix may also list liters — 1 cubic foot ≈ 28.3 liters.
**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, compaction when wheelbarrowing, and uneven fill. Two identical beds? Multiply the single-bed volume by your bed count before ordering.
Rectangular and round beds use standard prism/cylinder volume. Mix recipes split the total into topsoil, compost, and amendments. An optional buffer increases order quantity for settling.
Formula
Rect: cu ft = L(ft) × W(ft) × D(in) ÷ 12 | Round: cu ft = π × (D(ft) ÷ 2)² × D(in) ÷ 12 | Metric: m³ = footprint × D(cm) ÷ 100 | cu yd = cu ft ÷ 27Measure the inside length and width of the bed frame in feet (or meters). Measure fill depth from the soil surface to the bottom — typically 8–12 inches for vegetables, up to 18–24 inches for root crops or poor native soil.
If you are building several identical beds, enter the number of beds. The calculator multiplies volume before converting to cubic yards or bags.
Bulk suppliers quote in cubic yards. Round up slightly — partial yards are rarely sold. Confirm minimum delivery loads (often 1–3 yards).
Enter your bag size on the main form (1.5 cu ft is common). The calculator rounds up to whole bags and splits mix ingredients if a recipe is selected.
In Advanced options, enable the 10% settling buffer for compost-heavy mixes. Results show base fill volume and buffered order quantity separately.
Input
8 ft × 4 ft × 12 in deep · 1 bedOutput
32 cu ft · 1.19 cu yd · ~22 bags at 1.5 cu ft8 × 4 × 1 ft depth = 32 cu ft. Divide by 27 for yards. Bags: ceil(32 ÷ 1.5) = 22.
Input
8 ft × 4 ft × 18 in deepOutput
48 cu ft · 1.78 cu yd18 in = 1.5 ft equivalent depth factor: 8 × 4 × 1.5 = 48 cu ft.
Input
4 ft × 4 ft × 12 in · 2 bedsOutput
32 cu ft total · 1.19 cu ydEach 4×4 bed = 16 cu ft. Two beds = 32 cu ft — same volume as one 4×8 bed.
Input
2 m × 1 m × 30 cmOutput
0.6 m³ · 600 L2 × 1 × 0.3 m = 0.6 cubic meters.
Input
4 ft × 4 ft × 12 in · 3 bedsOutput
48 cu ft total · 1.78 cu ydEach 4×4 bed = 16 cu ft. Three beds = 48 cu ft before buffer.
Input
16 ft × 2 ft × 10 in · 1 bedOutput
26.67 cu ft · 0.99 cu yd16 × 2 × (10 ÷ 12) = 26.67 cu ft — useful for herb borders along a fence.
Common real-world scenarios where this tool saves time.
A 4×8 ft kit with 12 in fill needs ~1.2 cu yd. Ordering 1.5 yards leaves margin for top-off after rain. Two kits need ~2.4 yards — confirm a 3-yard minimum delivery.
Square-foot gardening blends (⅓ compost, ⅓ peat/coir, ⅓ vermiculite) each need the same total cubic volume. Calculate once, then split the yardage by thirds for purchasing.
Ten 4×4 ft beds at 10 in deep: each bed ≈ 13.3 cu ft → 133 cu ft total → ~4.9 cu yd. Add 10% buffer → ~5.4 yards.
EU and UK gardeners can enter meters and centimeters for direct m³ and liter readouts — useful when suppliers quote loose liters or bulk bags in litres.
Step-by-step chains that connect related tools for common tasks.
From lumber to soil delivery in four steps.
Choose delivery format based on volume and access.
| Volume needed | Best purchase format | Typical cost pattern |
|---|---|---|
| Under 0.5 cu yd (~13 cu ft) | Bagged retail mix | Higher $/cu ft, no delivery fee |
| 0.5–2 cu yd | Bulk delivery or pallet of bags | Compare delivery minimum vs bag sale |
| 2+ cu yd | Bulk truck delivery | Lowest $/cu yd; needs driveway access |
Prices vary by region and organic certification.
| Bed size | Cubic feet | Cubic yards | 1.5 cu ft bags |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4×4 ft | 16 | 0.59 | 11 |
| 4×8 ft | 32 | 1.19 | 22 |
| 3×6 ft | 18 | 0.67 | 12 |
| 2×8 ft | 16 | 0.59 | 11 |
Measure **inside** length and width — 2 in boards shrink usable space on each side.
A 12 in tall board often holds 10–11 in of soil below the rim. Enter actual fill depth, not lumber size.
Fluffed mix drops 5–15% in height after the first soak. Enable the buffer or order extra bags.
Square feet (area) ≠ cubic feet (volume). Depth must be included. Use the Area Converter only for flat coverage.
Weight depends on moisture. A wet yard of topsoil can exceed 2,000 lb. Suppliers quote volume in yards.
Advertisement
A 4×8 ft bed filled 12 inches deep holds 32 cubic feet — about 1.19 cubic yards before buffer. At 1.5 cu ft per bag, that is 22 bags. The calculator enables a 10% settling buffer by default and labels base vs buffered totals in the result.
8–12 inches is enough for lettuce, herbs, and bush beans. 12–18 inches suits tomatoes and peppers. 18–24 inches helps carrots, parsnips, or beds over compacted soil. Deeper beds cost more in soil but improve drainage and root room.
Divide total cubic feet by the bag size on the label, then round up. Example: 32 cu ft ÷ 1.5 cu ft = 21.3 → 22 bags. Enter bag size on the main form — the calculator and mix table round for you.
One cubic yard is a cube 3 ft on each side — 27 cubic feet. Bulk landscapers deliver loose soil by the yard. A full-size pickup holds roughly 2–2.5 cu yd level with the sides if permitted by payload limits.
Yes for most mixes. Organic compost and peat shrink after watering and traffic. A 10% buffer is a safe default. Sandy loam may need only 5%; fresh compost can need 15%.
Straight topsoil compacts and drains poorly alone. Most gardeners blend topsoil with compost (30–50% compost) and aeration (perlite, vermiculite, or coco coir). Calculate total fill volume here, then split by your recipe.
Calculate one identical bed, multiply by bed count, or enter the count in the calculator. For different sizes, run each size separately and add the cubic yards.
Yes — switch to **Round** shape and enter the inside diameter plus fill depth. The calculator uses π × radius² × depth. For L-shaped or tapered beds, run each section separately and add the cubic yards.
Select **60/40 mix** or **Mel's Mix** under Soil mix recipe. The calculator splits your total fill volume into each ingredient with cubic feet, cubic yards, and per-ingredient bag counts.
Under ~0.5 cu yd (roughly 13 cu ft), bagged retail is practical. Above ~2 cu yd, bulk truck delivery is usually 30–50% cheaper. The results panel shows a bulk-vs-bag recommendation for your volume.
Bed dimensions stay in your browser — measurements are not uploaded to EverydayTools servers.
Volume estimates only — not structural, load-bearing, or commercial quantity surveying. Confirm order quantities with your supplier.
Part of Calculator Tools
More free tools for the same workflow.
Advertisement
Reviewed on 2026-06-27.
Common bed sizes
Inside fill height — not board height unless filling to the rim.
Identical beds — volume is multiplied.
Typical retail bag — used for bag count and mix splits.
Ingredient volumes appear in results — buy each component separately or as a premixed blend.