Calculate the exact amount of soil, compost, or mulch needed for your garden beds
Quick Answer:A 4x8 ft raised bed at 6 inches deep needs about 16 cubic feet (0.6 cubic yards) of soil. At $30/cu yd for bulk topsoil, that costs about $18. Bagged at $5/bag (1 cu ft), it would be $80.
Total Volume Needed
Calculating... cubic yards
Volume (Cu Ft)
--
-- liters
Total Weight
--
estimated lbs
Bags Needed (1 cu ft)
--
-- bags (2 cu ft size)
Total Cost (Bulk)
--
at bulk pricing
Order 10-15% more soil than calculated. Soil compacts significantly after watering -- fresh fill can settle 15-20% within the first few weeks. For raised beds, a 60/30/10 mix of topsoil, compost, and perlite or vermiculite creates an ideal growing medium. If ordering bulk delivery, ensure your truck access is clear and place soil on a tarp to protect driveways.
For a standard 4x8 ft raised bed that is 12 inches deep, you need about 32 cubic feet or 1.2 cubic yards of soil. A good mix is 60% topsoil, 30% compost, and 10% potting mix. For a 6-inch depth, cut those numbers in half. One cubic yard fills about 27 one-cubic-foot bags. Use our calculator above to get precise estimates for your bed dimensions.
Soil weight varies by type: topsoil weighs about 2,200 lbs per cubic yard, garden mix about 1,800 lbs, compost about 1,000 lbs, and potting mix about 600 lbs. Wet soil can weigh 20-30% more. A standard pickup truck can safely carry about 1 cubic yard of topsoil. For larger amounts, consider bulk delivery to avoid overloading your vehicle.
Bulk soil is almost always cheaper for larger projects. Bagged topsoil costs $4-8 per cubic foot, while bulk topsoil runs $25-50 per cubic yard (about $1-2 per cubic foot). The breakeven point is typically around 1 cubic yard -- below that, bags may be more convenient. Delivery fees for bulk soil usually range from $50-$150 depending on distance and quantity.