Free calculator
Garden Soil Calculator
Open calculatorUse this garden soil calculator for in-ground beds, border refreshes, and broad planting areas where you are adding a measured layer rather than filling a raised box. It reports cubic feet, cubic yards, optional weight, whole bags, and an editable cost while keeping settling and package volume visible.
EstimatePlanning estimate only; soil blend, moisture, settling, bag fill, supplier units, and local conditions vary.
Project inputs
Estimate
1.02 cubic yards of garden soil
You need about 1.02 cubic yards (1.02 tons) of garden soil to cover 100 square feet at 3 inches with 10% extra.
Order and transport check
Supplier basis1.02 cu yd · 1.02 tons
Bagged option19 1.5-cu ft bags; compare the actual package label
Pickup or deliveryConfirm vehicle payload, supplier minimums, moisture, and delivery access before ordering.
Printable material list
Estimate- Garden soil1.02 cu yd10% extra included
- Garden soil by weight1.02 tons1 tons/cu yd editable assumption
- Bagged garden soil19 1.5-cu ft bagsuse the package volume printed on the bag
- Cost at your price$51.00$50/cu yd editable planning price
- Typical bulk planning range$35–$75 per cu ydbroad reference only; enter a local supplier price
- Delivery or pickupcompare bulk deliveryconfirm vehicle payload and supplier minimum
Planning estimate only. Supplier gradation, moisture, density, delivery rules, and site conditions vary.
Assumptions
- Garden soil is estimated as a layer over a measured bed.
- Default depth is 3 inches and default settling allowance is 10 percent.
- Bags are counted from the cubic-foot volume on the package.
- Optional weight uses 1 ton per cubic yard until a supplier value is entered.
Calculation details
- Area = length x width.
- Cubic feet = area x depth in feet.
- Cubic yards = cubic feet / 27.
- Tons = cubic yards x selected density.
- Bags = cubic feet / bag volume, rounded up.
Garden soil versus topsoil and raised-bed mix
Garden soil is a retail and supplier label, not a regulated universal recipe. It may combine screened soil, compost, bark fines, sand, or other amendments. This page estimates how much volume to add to an existing garden bed. Use the raised-bed calculator when filling a box to a set height, and use the top-soil calculator for grading, lawn establishment, or a simple screened-soil layer. The quantity formula is similar, but the buying decision and assumptions are different: this page emphasizes bag volume, settling, and a planting-bed layer.
Measure beds without counting paths
Measure only the planted surface. Divide long borders into rectangles, use the circle option for islands, or use the ring option around an established tree while excluding the trunk zone. For a tapered bed, take several width measurements and use a reasonable average. Mark areas that will remain mulch, stone, paving, or dense established planting so they are not counted twice. If you are topping several separate beds, calculate each or add their square footage before choosing one common depth.
Choose a realistic added depth
A light refresh and a new planting layer are different jobs. One inch across a bed is a modest top-up; three inches uses three times the soil. Deep excavation, soil replacement, and raised beds should not be disguised as a shallow topdressing calculation. Probe the existing grade at several points and decide how much new material can be added without burying stems, blocking drainage, or spilling over edging. The calculator accepts the depth you measured and exposes it in the printed assumptions so the order can be checked later.
Convert cubic yards to bags correctly
One cubic yard is 27 cubic feet. A 1-cubic-foot product needs 27 bags per yard before extra material; a 1.5-cubic-foot product needs 18; a 2-cubic-foot product needs 13.5, which becomes 14 whole bags. Do not convert from pounds unless the product also supplies density, because wet soil can weigh far more than dry mix without occupying more package volume. Enter the cubic-foot value printed on the bag and let the calculator round to purchasable packages.
Plan bulk access and placement
Bulk delivery reduces packaging but creates a pile that must be placed without blocking streets, drains, or access. Ask where the truck can safely dump, whether tarps or surface protection are needed, and how long the material can sit before spreading. Small gardens with stairs or narrow gates may still favor bags even when bulk material costs less. If you consider pickup, compare estimated weight with the vehicle payload label and account for moisture. The calculator is an order conversation, not a vehicle-loading decision.
Check the product before buying
Ask what the garden soil contains, whether it is screened, and which planting uses the supplier recommends. Inspect a sample for debris, texture, odor, and excessive moisture. A cheaper cubic yard is not useful if the mix is unsuitable for the plants or difficult to spread. Soil tests and local extension advice can guide amendments, while this calculator stays focused on volume. The editable price is deliberately local input; it does not claim a live price or include delivery, tax, labor, or removal of existing soil.
Garden soil bags per cubic yard
| Bag volume | Bags per cu yd | Purchased volume |
|---|---|---|
| 1 cu ft | 27 | 27 cu ft |
| 1.5 cu ft | 18 | 27 cu ft |
| 2 cu ft | 14 | 28 cu ft |
Whole bags are rounded up. Add a project-specific settling allowance separately.
Garden Soil Calculator FAQ
How much garden soil do I need for a bed?
Multiply bed area by the added depth in feet, divide by 27 for cubic yards, and add a settling or grading allowance. The calculator also converts the result to whole bags.
How many bags of garden soil equal one cubic yard?
One yard equals 27 cubic feet: 27 one-cubic-foot bags, 18 bags at 1.5 cubic feet, or 14 whole bags at 2 cubic feet.
Is garden soil the same as topsoil?
Not necessarily. Garden soil often includes amendments intended for planting beds, while topsoil is a broader screened-soil category. Read the supplier or package description before ordering.
How much extra should I allow for settling?
Ten percent is a visible planning default, not a universal rule. Loose blends, deep fills, low spots, and handling can justify more; a shallow, carefully measured refresh may need less.
Should I use weight or volume for bagged soil?
Use the cubic-foot volume printed on the bag. Weight changes with moisture and formulation, so pound-only comparisons need product-specific density.
Can this choose the right soil blend?
No. It estimates quantity. Match the product to the plants, existing soil, drainage, and local guidance; use a soil test when amendment decisions matter.
Who built and reviewed this estimate