Topsoil Calculator for Raised Beds

Estimate topsoil to fill a raised garden bed.

Raised beds are filled deep — commonly 8–12 inches — often as a blend of topsoil and compost. The calculator starts at 8 inches; enter the inside length and width of the bed below.

Topsoil Calculator

Estimate how much you need — and the cost.

Area shape
You need
2.47 cubic yards
89 bags
Also equals
  • cubic feet 66.67
  • cubic meters 1.888
  • tons (US) 2.59
  • tonnes 2.35

Tip: Mix in 25–30% compost with the topsoil for a rich raised-bed blend, and overfill slightly to allow for settling.

How it's calculated

1 cubic yard covers about 324 sq ft at 1 in / about 81 sq ft at 4 in deep; about 1.05 US tons per cubic yard.

See the full Topsoil Calculator for the complete how-to, unit conversions, and data sources.

Topsoil Calculator for Raised Beds FAQ

How much soil to fill a raised bed?

Multiply the inside length × width by the fill depth. A 4 × 8 ft bed filled 8 inches deep needs about 0.8 cubic yards.

What soil mix is best for raised beds?

A blend of roughly 70% topsoil and 30% compost gives good structure and nutrients for most vegetables.

More topsoil uses