ganak.appSoil Calculator
Estimate soil volume in cubic yards, cubic feet, or meters for gardens, raised beds, and landscaping. Includes bag count, weight, and cost estimates for topsoil, compost, potting mix, and more.
General landscaping, lawns & gardens. 75 lb/ft³.
Recommended: 10% for soil projects (settling and uneven ground)
Material price, delivery, and tax.
Includes 10% waste · 1 section
Project summary
Volume, bags, weight & cost at a glance
What is a Soil Calculator?
Overview of the tool and what it helps you estimate.
A soil calculator estimates how much soil, dirt, or fill you need for raised beds, garden beds, landscaping, lawn top-dressing, and construction projects. It converts your area dimensions and depth into volume (cubic yards, cubic feet, or cubic meters), then calculates weight and bag count.
Use it to answer: how much soil do I need? Enter length, width, and depth, select your soil type, and the calculator handles all conversions, waste factor, bag estimates, and optional cost calculations. Whether you need a topsoil calculator, raised bed soil calculator, or garden soil calculator, this tool covers all use cases.
Soil Calculation Formulas
Core formulas used for soil volume and weight.
The calculator uses standard volume and weight formulas. These are the same formulas landscapers and gardeners use when estimating soil quantities.
Step 1: Calculate volume
Step 2: Convert to cubic yards
Step 3: Calculate bags needed
Step 4: Convert to weight
Quick rule of thumb: 1 cubic yard of topsoil weighs about 2,000–2,200 lb (1.0–1.1 tons). Potting mix is much lighter at about 1,100 lb per cubic yard.
Soil Types and Densities
How soil type affects weight and material needs.
| Soil Type | Density (lb/ft³) | Density (kg/m³) |
|---|---|---|
| Topsoil | 75 | 1,202 |
| Garden Soil | 70 | 1,121 |
| Potting Mix | 40 | 641 |
| Compost | 45 | 721 |
| Raised Bed Mix | 55 | 881 |
| Fill Dirt | 100 | 1,602 |
| Loam | 80 | 1,282 |
| Clay Soil | 100 | 1,602 |
The calculator automatically sets the density when you choose a soil type. You can override the density if you have a specific measurement from your supplier.
Soil Calculator Examples
Sample projects with volume and bag counts included.
Example 1: Raised Garden Bed
Example 2: Flower Bed
Example 3: Lawn Top-dressing
Example 4: Container Garden
Soil Cost Guide
Typical pricing ranges by soil type and project.
Soil prices vary by type, region, and order quantity. Here are typical US price ranges (2025):
Delivery fees typically range from $50–$150 depending on distance and quantity.
Buying in bulk (by the truckload) is significantly cheaper per yard than bagged soil from retail stores.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Quick checklist to prevent ordering errors.
Mixing up inches and feet
6 inches is 0.5 feet, not 6 feet. Always double-check your depth units.
Ignoring settling
Soil settles 10–20% after watering and compaction. Overfill slightly.
Skipping waste factor
Always add 10% for uneven ground and spillage to avoid reordering.
Confusing volume and weight
Potting mix weighs about half as much as topsoil per cubic yard.
Too many small bags
Bulk delivery is far cheaper for anything over 1 cubic yard.
Ordering exact amounts
Always round up to avoid a second delivery charge.
Pro Tips for Soil Ordering
Practical advice for accurate material estimates.
Right depth by project
Raised beds need 6–12 inches. Garden beds need 4–6 inches. Lawn top-dressing: 0.25–0.5 inches.
Truck capacity
A standard dump truck holds about 10 cubic yards of soil (roughly 10–14 tons of topsoil).
Bags per cubic yard
One cubic yard of soil fills about 36 bags of 0.75 ft³ each. For large projects, buy bulk instead.
Ideal raised bed mix
Use a 60/40 blend of topsoil and compost for best results in raised bed gardens.
Wet vs dry weight
Wet soil weighs 20–30% more than dry soil. Plan delivery for dry weather when possible.
Bulk savings
Ask about minimum order quantities — many suppliers offer free delivery over 3–5 cubic yards.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions and detailed answers