Soil & Fill Calculator
Calculate cubic yards of soil, topsoil, or fill dirt for raised beds and gardens.
How to calculate soil for raised beds or garden areas
Measure your raised bed or area — length, width, and depth. A standard 4×8 raised bed filled 12 inches deep needs 0.89 cubic yards.
Enter the dimensions and select your fill depth. Raised beds for vegetables need at least 12 inches of quality soil.
Choose bag size (1 cu ft or 2 cu ft) to see how many bags to buy, or use cubic yards for bulk delivery.
Use the material type selector to adjust for different densities — topsoil, potting mix, and compost all have different weights per yard.
Common uses
- Filling new raised garden beds for vegetables or herbs
- Topdressing a lawn or leveling low spots in a yard
- Calculating fill dirt for a grading or landscaping project
Frequently asked questions
How much soil do I need for a 4×8 raised bed at 12 inches deep?
Should I fill a raised bed with topsoil or potting mix?
How much does a cubic yard of topsoil weigh?
Not sure whether to DIY this project?
Read our project-by-project guide on when to hire a contractor vs. do it yourself.
About this calculator
Enter your bed or area dimensions and depth to get cubic yards, cubic feet, and bag count (1 cu ft or 2 cu ft bags). Supports topsoil, garden soil, compost, and fill dirt.
All results are estimates. Verify quantities with your local supplier and confirm measurements before purchasing materials. Requirements vary by region and project type.
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