Soil Calculator
Calculate exactly how much topsoil, garden soil, or compost you need. Computes total volume in cubic yards and cubic feet, weight in tons, and counts for standard retail bag sizes for raised beds and circular garden beds.
Required Soil Materials
Retail Bagged Soil Quantities
Soil Estimation & Gardening Guide
Whether creating a raised vegetable bed, planting a flower garden, or leveling a lawn with topsoil, estimating soil volume properly prevents multiple trips to the garden center or costly over-orders of bulk dirt.
Bulk vs. Bagged Soil: When to Buy What?
- Small Jobs (< 1 Cubic Yard / < 27 cu ft): Retail bags (typically 1.0 or 1.5 cu ft) are usually more economical and far easier to transport in a trunk or SUV.
- Medium to Large Jobs (> 1 to 2 Cubic Yards): Bulk soil delivery from a local landscape nursery or quarry is significantly cheaper per cubic yard than purchasing 30+ individual bags.
- Settling Allowance: Fresh soil naturally settles by 10% to 15% after watering. We recommend ordering an extra 10% to ensure your beds remain full after settling.
Calculating Soil Volume: Cubic Yards, Cubic Feet & Bag Quantities
Ordering bulk topsoil, garden compost, or raised bed potting soil requires converting linear boundary measurements into cubic volume. Calculating exact cubic yardage saves money by allowing homeowners and landscapers to compare bulk delivery costs against retail bagged soil products while preventing soil shortages mid-planting.
For deeper analysis and related planning, you can also explore our Concrete Calculator and Paint Calculator.
Volume Conversion Standards
Soil volume is derived by multiplying planar surface area by target amendment depth:
- Area in Square Feet: Length (ft) × Width (ft) [or π × Radius² for circular beds]
- Volume in Cubic Feet: Area (sq ft) × [Depth (inches) ÷ 12]
- Volume in Cubic Yards: Cubic Feet ÷ 27 (since 1 yard = 3 feet, 3³ = 27 cu ft)
- Standard Retail Bags Needed: Cubic Feet ÷ Bag Size (typically 0.75, 1.5, or 2.0 cu ft per bag)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many cubic feet are in a cubic yard of soil?
There are exactly 27 cubic feet in one cubic yard of soil (3 feet long × 3 feet wide × 3 feet deep = 27 cu ft).
How deep should garden bed soil be?
For most vegetables, flowers, and garden plants, a soil depth of 6 to 12 inches is recommended. Deep-root crops like carrots, potatoes, and tomatoes thrive best with 10 to 12 inches of depth.
How much does a cubic yard of topsoil weigh?
One cubic yard of dry topsoil weighs approximately 2,000 to 2,200 pounds (1.0 to 1.1 short tons). If the soil is moist or blended with compost, it can weigh up to 2,400 to 2,700 pounds (1.2 to 1.35 tons).