About this calculator
How much soil to fill one or more raised beds, with a settling allowance.
How it’s calculated
Volume = length × width × depth × number of beds × (1 + settling).
Worked example
With these inputs:
- Bed length
- 8 ft
- Bed width
- 4 ft
- Fill depth
- 12 in
- Number of beds
- 2
- Extra for settling
- 15%
the result is:
- Soil needed
- 73.6 cu ft
Tips from the trade
- Fill the bottom of very deep beds with logs and branches to save soil.
- Above about 1 cu yd, bulk delivery beats bags on price.
Results are estimates for planning and pricing. Check quantities against your drawings, the manufacturer’s data and local building codes before ordering.