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Soil & Fill Calculator
Soil & Fill Calculator
Material Calculators

Soil & Fill Calculator

Calculate cubic yards of soil, topsoil, or fill dirt for raised beds and gardens.

DIY difficulty

EasyTypical time: Half a day to full day
  • ›Mostly physical labor — spreading and grading
  • ›For garden beds, amending the existing soil matters as much as the new soil

Must-have tools

WheelbarrowGarden rakeShovelWork gloves

How to calculate soil for raised beds or garden areas

  1. 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.

  2. Enter the dimensions and select your fill depth. Raised beds for vegetables need at least 12 inches of quality soil.

  3. Choose bag size (1 cu ft or 2 cu ft) to see how many bags to buy, or use cubic yards for bulk delivery.

  4. 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?
A 4×8 raised bed at 12 inches deep holds 32 cubic feet, or about 0.89 cubic yards. That's roughly 32 bags of 1 cu ft potting mix, or 16 bags of 2 cu ft.
Should I fill a raised bed with topsoil or potting mix?
A common blend is 60% topsoil, 30% compost, and 10% coarse sand or perlite. Pure topsoil compacts and drains poorly in raised beds; pure potting mix dries out too quickly.
How much does a cubic yard of topsoil weigh?
Topsoil typically weighs 1,400–1,800 pounds per cubic yard, depending on moisture and composition. Always check delivery weight limits before ordering bulk soil.
How many bags of soil do I need for a 4×8 raised bed?
A 4×8 bed at 12 inches deep holds 32 cubic feet. That's 32 bags of 1 cu ft potting mix or 16 bags of 2 cu ft. For bulk delivery, you need about 1.2 cubic yards (add 10–15% for settling).
What's the difference between topsoil and garden soil?
Topsoil is untreated native soil — fine for fill and grading but compacts in containers. Garden soil is blended with compost and amendments for plant growth. For raised beds, use garden soil or a blend of 60% topsoil + 30% compost + 10% perlite.

Common mistakes to avoid

  • ✕Filling raised beds with pure topsoil — it compacts and becomes hydrophobic. Blend 60% topsoil, 30% compost, 10% perlite or coarse sand.
  • ✕Not accounting for settling — newly filled beds settle 10–20% in the first season. Fill slightly above the rim.
  • ✕Not checking truck access before bulk delivery — a standard landscape truck needs 10 ft clearance and a solid surface.
  • ✕Confusing potting mix with garden soil — potting mix is for containers; garden soil is for in-ground use.

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Not sure whether to DIY this project?

Read our project-by-project guide on when to hire a contractor vs. do it yourself.

Read the guide →

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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