Raised Bed Soil Calculator
Enter the dimensions of each raised bed to find out how much soil you need — in cubic feet, cubic yards, and bag counts.
Planning where to put your beds? Use our land area calculator to measure your available yard space on a map first.
Your Results
Volume needed
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Cubic feet
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1 cu ft bags
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2 cu ft bags
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much soil do I need to fill a raised bed?
Multiply the length × width × depth (all in feet) to get cubic feet, then divide by 27 for cubic yards. A standard 4×8 ft bed at 12 inches deep needs 32 cubic feet — about 1.19 cubic yards or 16 bags of 2 cu ft soil.
How deep should a raised bed be?
Most vegetables do well with 12 inches of soil depth. Shallow-rooted crops like lettuce and herbs can manage with 6–8 inches. Deep-rooted vegetables such as carrots, tomatoes, and squash prefer 18–24 inches.
How many bags of soil do I need for a raised bed?
It depends on bed size and bag size. For a 4×8 ft bed at 12 inches deep (32 cu ft), you would need 32 bags of 1 cu ft soil or 16 bags of 2 cu ft soil. The calculator above gives you exact counts for your specific beds.
What is the best soil mix for raised beds?
A popular starting point is the “Mel’s Mix&rdquo: equal parts compost, peat moss or coconut coir, and coarse vermiculite. Pre-blended raised bed mixes are also available and save time. Avoid using native garden soil alone — it compacts and drains poorly in raised beds.
Can I use potting soil in a raised bed?
You can, but it is not ideal for large beds — potting soil is expensive at volume, designed for containers, and dries out quickly. Purpose-made raised bed soil or a blended mix is generally better value and performance for raised garden beds.