Free Tool

Soil Calculator

Calculate cubic yards, weight, and bags of soil needed for gardens, raised beds, fill, and landscaping projects.

🌱 Choose Your Area Shape

Rectangular
Circular
Cubic Yards
Est. Weight
pounds (dry)
40-lb Bags
≈ 0.75 cu ft each
Tons
for bulk delivery
Pro Tip: Add 10% extra for settling and uneven ground. Soil compresses after watering — fresh fill will settle 10–15% over the first few weeks. For raised beds, overfill slightly.

How to Calculate Soil: Complete Guide

Whether you're filling raised beds, leveling a yard, or building a garden, knowing exactly how much soil to order saves time, money, and multiple trips to the landscape supply yard.

The Basic Formula

Cubic Yards = (Length × Width × Depth in feet) ÷ 27

If your depth is in inches, divide by 12 to convert to feet first.

Soil Type Comparison

Soil TypeWeight (lb/yd³)Best ForCost per Yard
Topsoil2,000Grading, filling, general use$25–$55
Fill Dirt2,150Leveling, backfill, drainage$10–$30
Garden Soil1,800Planting, raised beds, flowers$35–$70
Compost1,000Soil amendment, mulching$30–$60

Bags vs. Bulk Delivery

FactorBagged (40 lb)Bulk Delivery
Best forUnder 2 cubic yardsOver 2 cubic yards
Cost per yard$150–$250$25–$70 + delivery
Delivery feeNone (buy at store)$50–$150
Bags per yard~36 bagsN/A

Common Depths by Project

  • 2 inches — Top dressing an existing lawn
  • 4 inches — New flower beds, ground cover
  • 6 inches — Vegetable gardens, sod prep
  • 8–12 inches — Raised beds, deep root crops
  • 12+ inches — New raised garden beds from scratch

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