# Soil Calculator

Calculate how much soil or topsoil you need for garden beds and landscaping. Get cubic yards, bags needed, and weight estimates with this free soil calculator.

## What this calculates

Buying the right amount of soil saves money and keeps your garden project on schedule. Enter your bed dimensions and desired depth to find out exactly how many cubic yards, bags, or pounds of topsoil you need. This calculator works for garden beds, raised planters, lawn topdressing, and fill projects.

## Inputs

- **Length** (ft) — min 0
- **Width** (ft) — min 0
- **Depth** (in) — min 0, max 36 — Garden beds: 6-12 in, raised beds: 12-18 in, topdressing: 1-2 in
- **Price Per Cubic Yard** ($) — min 0

## Outputs

- **Coverage Area** (ft²)
- **Volume** (ft³)
- **Volume** (yd³)
- **Weight** (lbs) — Based on ~2,200 lbs per cubic yard
- **Bags Needed (1 ft³)** (bags)
- **Bags Needed (2 ft³)** (bags)
- **Estimated Cost** — formatted as currency

## Details

## How Soil Volume Is Calculated

The formula: **Volume = Length x Width x Depth**. The calculator converts inches of depth to feet, then divides total cubic feet by 27 to get cubic yards (the standard bulk delivery unit).

## Soil Weight and Bag Estimates

Topsoil weighs roughly **2,200 lbs per cubic yard**, though this varies with moisture content and composition. Dry, sandy soil can weigh less (around 1,800 lbs/yd3), while wet clay soil can weigh over 2,600 lbs/yd3.

Bagged soil from garden centers typically comes in:
- **1 cubic foot bags** -- common at big-box stores
- **2 cubic foot bags** -- the larger "premium" bags

For anything over 3-4 cubic yards, bulk delivery is usually cheaper than buying bags.

## Recommended Soil Depths

| Project | Recommended Depth |
|---------|------------------|
| New garden beds | 6-12 inches |
| Raised beds | 12-18 inches |
| Lawn topdressing | 1-2 inches |
| Tree and shrub planting | 12-24 inches |
| Filling low spots | Varies |

## Tips for Ordering

Order about **5-10% extra** to account for settling and compaction. Soil compresses after watering, so that fresh 12-inch bed might settle to 10 inches within a few weeks.

## Frequently Asked Questions

**Q: How much does a cubic yard of soil weigh?**

A: A cubic yard of topsoil weighs approximately 2,200 pounds (1.1 tons). Moisture content makes a big difference -- dry soil can weigh around 1,800 lbs/yd3 while saturated soil can exceed 2,600 lbs/yd3.

**Q: How many bags of soil are in a cubic yard?**

A: One cubic yard equals 27 cubic feet. That means you need 27 one-cubic-foot bags or about 14 two-cubic-foot bags to equal one cubic yard of soil.

**Q: How deep should soil be for a garden bed?**

A: Most vegetables and flowers need at least 6-12 inches of quality topsoil. Raised beds should be 12-18 inches deep to give roots plenty of room. For lawn topdressing, 1-2 inches is typical.

**Q: Should I buy bagged or bulk soil?**

A: For small projects under 2-3 cubic yards, bagged soil is convenient and easier to handle. For larger projects, bulk delivery is significantly cheaper per cubic yard and saves you dozens of trips with heavy bags.

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Source: https://vastcalc.com/calculators/construction/soil
Category: Construction
Last updated: 2026-04-08