Raised Bed Soil Calculator
Calculate how much soil you need to fill raised garden beds, with support for multiple beds of the same size.
Results
Visualization
How It Works
Raised garden beds need to be filled with a quality soil mix that provides good drainage and nutrients. This calculator handles the math for one or multiple beds, so you can order the right amount of bulk soil or bags.
The Formula
Volume per bed (cu ft) = Length x Width x Height / 12
Total Volume = Volume per bed x Number of beds
Cubic Yards = Total Volume / 27
Total Volume = Volume per bed x Number of beds
Cubic Yards = Total Volume / 27
Variables
- L — Inside length of one raised bed in feet
- W — Inside width of one raised bed in feet
- H — Inside height of the bed walls in inches
- N — Number of beds of this size
Example
A standard 4 ft x 8 ft raised bed at 12 inches tall holds 32 cu ft = 1.19 cubic yards. Two beds need 2.37 cubic yards. At $40/yard that costs about $95.
Tips
- The classic raised bed soil mix is 60% topsoil, 30% compost, and 10% perlite or coarse sand.
- For beds taller than 18 inches, fill the bottom third with logs, branches, or straw to save on soil (hugelkultur method).
- Soil in raised beds settles 10-15% in the first season, so fill slightly above the rim.
- Measure the inside dimensions of your bed, not the outside, to avoid over-ordering.
- Bulk delivery is dramatically cheaper than bags: one cubic yard equals twenty-seven 1 cu ft bags.