Soil calculator for Washington
Calculate the cubic-yard amount for garden beds, raised planters, and landscape areas with soil chosen for the work.
Enter your project dimensions
A 4 x 8 raised bed filled to 12 inches requires 32 cubic feet of soil, which works out to 1.2 cubic yards. New bed builders often find that total is more than a few bags. Use this calculator for beds, planters, or other yard areas, then select the material for the estimate. Garden soil weighs about 2,000 lb per cubic yard, screened topsoil weighs 2,200, and fill dirt weighs 2,400. Choosing the intended material gives the corresponding ton total.
Three-step bed calculation
- In feet, record the dimensions of each bed or planter. Use multiple-areas mode to combine bed totals.
- Plan on 4-6 inches for existing-bed improvement, 6 inches for a new in-ground bed, or 12 inches for an empty raised planter.
- Divide cubic feet by 27 for cubic yards. Soil weight in tons is yards x 1.0 to 1.2, based on soil type.
Tons = yards × 1.0 (garden soil) · 1.1 (topsoil) · 1.2 (fill dirt)
Coverage and weight
| Soil type | Weight per cubic yard | Tons per yard |
|---|---|---|
| Garden soil (blended with compost) | ≈ 2,000 lb | 1.00 |
| Topsoil (screened) | ≈ 2,200 lb | 1.10 |
| Fill dirt | ≈ 2,400 lb | 1.20 |
| Depth | 1 cubic yard covers | 3 yards cover |
|---|---|---|
| 2 inches | 162 sq ft | 486 sq ft |
| 4 inches | 81 sq ft | 243 sq ft |
| 6 inches | 54 sq ft | 162 sq ft |
| 12 inches, raised bed | 27 sq ft | 81 sq ft |
Choose soil for the work
- For vegetable plots, flower beds, and planters, use garden soil blended with compost for planting.
- Screened topsoil suits lawn work and final grading. Find lawn-depth guidance and examples in the Topsoil Calculator.
- Use fill dirt as the base for grade adjustments and hole repairs, then keep growing soil in the upper layer.
- Rather than replacing an entire worn bed, work 2-3 inches of garden soil through the top 6 inches. It uses less material and creates a more gradual root zone.
Raised-bed filling with less blend
Beds taller than 18 inches need not be filled with garden blend from bottom to top. Use fill dirt, or coarse organic matter that composts in place, through the lower third, then reserve 8-12 inches of garden soil for the root zone. Calculate each layer separately. On western Washington sites, measure the full 12 inches instead of estimating the planting layer.
Example: three 4 x 8 beds
For a 96 square foot bed at 12 inches of depth, plan on 96 cubic feet, equal to 3.6 cubic yards and approximately 3.6 tons of garden soil. Order 4 yards. Blended material can settle roughly 10% in the first weeks as its compost portion compacts, leaving the extra soil available to bring the beds back to grade.
Amending clay and sandy ground
Clay soil can hold water too long, while sand can lose it before plants can use it. For either condition, incorporate 2-3 inches of compost-blended garden soil into the top 6 inches and repeat over a couple of seasons. This calls for a third of the material and lifting required for replacement. Reserve full-depth replacement for ground affected by construction debris or contamination.
Bulk soil or bags
One cubic yard is about 36 bags at 40 lb each. A single raised bed can require 43 bags, meaning 43 bags handled twice. Bulk material costs less per cubic foot, comes in one tip, and free delivery means no truck fee to recover. Bags work well for topping one planter. Have the pile placed on a tarp: soil can stain concrete, and cleanup is easier when the tarp can be dragged and folded.
Soil amounts for beds and bags
What soil volume is needed for a 4x8 raised bed?
How do garden soil, topsoil, and fill dirt differ?
How many soil bags equal one cubic yard?
How many yards of dirt are required for beds?
Will bulk soil settle after it is placed?
Is delivered garden soil ready to plant in?
More calculators
Measurements ready? Order soil online.
Buy garden soil, topsoil, and fill dirt by the yard, with free delivery included.
