Soil Calculator

Calculate soil volume for raised beds and planters.

Mason ReidFounder and Lead Estimator at MeasureThen

Last updated 2026-08-21

What Is a Soil Calculator?

The soil calculator tells you how much soil to fill a raised bed or planter. You enter the length, width, and fill depth, and it returns the volume in cubic feet and cubic yards so you can order the right amount of soil mix.

How It Works

Volume = Length × Width × (Depth ÷ 12). Cubic yards = Volume ÷ 27.

Example

A 4 ft × 2 ft raised bed filled 12 in deep: 4 × 2 × 1 = 8 cu ft ≈ 0.30 cu yd.

How to Calculate

Measure the inside length, width, and fill depth of your raised bed in feet. A 4 ft by 2 ft bed filled 1 ft deep is 8 cu ft.
Enter the three dimensions. The tool multiplies them to get the volume: 4 × 2 × 1 = 8 cu ft, about 0.30 cubic yards.
Check the cubic yards figure when ordering bulk soil from a supplier, since most sell by the yard.
If buying bagged soil, convert the volume to the number of 1.5 cu ft bags you need.
Plan for 8 to 12 in of quality soil at minimum so plant roots have room to grow.

Raised Bed Soil Volume by Size

Bed Size	Fill Depth	Cubic Feet	Cubic Yards
4 ft × 2 ft	12 in	8 cu ft	0.30 cu yd
4 ft × 4 ft	12 in	16 cu ft	0.59 cu yd
4 ft × 8 ft	12 in	32 cu ft	1.19 cu yd
3 ft × 6 ft	12 in	18 cu ft	0.67 cu yd
2 ft × 4 ft	12 in	8 cu ft	0.30 cu yd

Sources

Frequently Asked Questions

What soil goes in raised beds?

A blend of topsoil, compost, and aeration amendments (like perlite) is common for raised beds.

Do I fill the whole bed?

You can fill the base with logs or drainage material to save soil, but roots need at least 8–12 in of quality soil.

How much does a yard of soil weigh?

About 2,000 lb (1 ton) dry, more when wet — plan for delivery or trips.

Mason ReidFounder and Lead Estimator at MeasureThen

Mason Reid founded MeasureThen after two decades of hands-on work in construction and estimating. Across residential and light commercial projects, he sized concrete pours, framed walls, hung drywall, and priced out roofing, fencing, and deck work — learning the exact math that every job depends on. At MeasureThen he writes the formulas, checks every calculator against real-world assumptions, and makes sure each one is simple enough for a homeowner to trust and a contractor to use. When he is not measuring twice, he is helping projects stay on budget.

Every MeasureThen calculator uses simple, transparent formulas and standard industry assumptions drawn from common construction practice. We show the math behind each result and include worked examples so you can follow along and double-check the numbers. Results are estimates: materials, labor, and pricing vary by region and market, so always confirm important figures with a licensed professional and your local building codes.