Bags (1 cu ft): The number of standard 1-cubic-foot bags of soil you need to buy. Bags are rounded up so you always have enough.
Cubic Feet: The raw volume of your area. One cubic foot is roughly the size of a basketball.
Cubic Yards: The bulk-delivery unit most landscape suppliers use. One cubic yard equals 27 cubic feet and covers roughly 100 sq ft at 3 inches deep.
Depth matters: Even a small increase in depth adds volume quickly. Going from 4 inches to 6 inches increases soil needed by 50%.
How This Calculator Works
You enter the length and width of your area in feet plus the desired soil depth in inches. The tool converts depth to feet, multiplies all three dimensions to get cubic feet, divides by 27 for cubic yards, and rounds up for bag count. It assumes a simple rectangular area and standard 1-cubic-foot bags.
Quick Questions
How much extra soil should I buy?
Plan for 5–10% extra to account for settling, compaction, and uneven terrain. Raised beds with loose fill can settle up to 20% in the first season.
Should I buy bags or bulk delivery?
For small projects under about 1 cubic yard (27 bags), bagged soil is convenient. For larger areas, bulk delivery by the cubic yard is typically cheaper per unit and saves trips.
How deep should soil be for a raised bed?
Most vegetables need at least 6–12 inches of quality soil. Deep-rooted crops like tomatoes and carrots do best with 12–18 inches. Shallow herbs and lettuces can manage with 6 inches.
What's the difference between topsoil, garden soil, and potting mix?
Topsoil is natural earth screened for debris — good for filling. Garden soil is topsoil amended with compost for planting beds. Potting mix is a soilless blend designed for containers with better drainage.