What to enter
- Enter the bed or planter length and width.
- Enter the depth of soil you need to add.
- Choose bagged or bulk purchase mode and enter the package size.
- Add an allowance and optional price.
Garden Soil Calculator
Estimate soil volume for beds, planters and landscaping.
My ProjectNo saved space selectedSave a room once and reuse it here.
Your estimate
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Ready when you are
Enter the area and material depth to get a purchase-ready volume estimate and optional cost.
Recommended purchase
0
Recommended quantity
Includes your selected allowance.
Estimated material cost—
Project area—
Material depth—
Raw volume—
Allowance—
Recommended volume—
Bag size—
Use the product or supplier figure when available.
Loose landscaping materials settle and vary by particle size and moisture. The calculator is intended for purchasing estimates, not exact delivered mass.
Shopping estimate
Next: calculate mulch—
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Plan with confidence
How to use the Garden Soil Calculator
Estimate soil for raised beds, garden beds, planters and landscaping using the area and target fill depth.
How the calculation works
PlanCalq multiplies the footprint area by soil depth to calculate fill volume, then applies your allowance for settlement and grading.
The final volume is converted into the package or bulk unit you expect to purchase.
Calculation summary
Length × width × depth = soil volumeVolume × (1 + allowance %) = recommended volumeRecommended volume ÷ package volume = purchase quantityWorked example
Example: filling a 2 m × 1 m raised bed
- Bed: 2 m × 1 m
- Fill depth: 30 cm
- Allowance: 10%
Planning resultThe base volume is 0.60 m³; with allowance the planning quantity is about 0.66 m³.
Soil volume is simply plan area multiplied by fill depth. The allowance is useful where soil settles, the base is uneven or the bed dimensions are approximate.
How to read the result
- Use cubic volume for bulk soil and convert to bags only using the actual package volume.
- For partially filled beds, enter only the depth of new soil being added rather than the full bed height.
- Large projects may be easier to order in bulk even when bag equivalents are shown.
What this calculator does not cover
- Fresh soil can settle after watering and over time.
- The tool does not determine soil type, drainage mix, fertility or suitability for particular plants.
- Existing soil, compost and other amendments should be estimated separately if they form part of the fill mix.
GuideRenovation contingency allowance
Understand the difference between material waste and renovation contingency, what creates uncertainty, and how to build a realistic allowance into a project budget.
GuideInterpreting calculator estimatesLearn the difference between theoretical quantity, recommended quantity, purchase quantity and estimated cost so you can use calculator results responsibly.
Common questions
Garden Soil Calculator FAQs
Can I use this for a raised garden bed?
Yes. Enter the internal length, width and fill depth of the bed for a straightforward volume estimate.
Should I add extra soil for settling?
A small allowance is useful when freshly placed soil is expected to settle after watering or light compaction.
Does the calculator estimate soil weight?
The main purpose is volume and purchase quantity. Soil weight varies significantly with composition and moisture.