How Much Soil Does My Raised Bed Need?
The quick math for cubic feet and cubic yards, with common bed sizes worked out.
By The Raised Bed Gardener Team · · 4 min read
Soil is usually sold by the cubic foot (bags) or the cubic yard (bulk). Working out the volume of your bed takes just one line of math.
The formula
Length (ft) × Width (ft) × Depth (in) ÷ 12 = cubic feet. Divide cubic feet by 27 to get cubic yards.
Common sizes at 12 inches deep
- 2 × 4 bed: 8 cubic feet (about 0.30 cubic yards)
- 4 × 4 bed: 16 cubic feet (about 0.59 cubic yards)
- 4 × 8 bed: 32 cubic feet (about 1.19 cubic yards)
Bags or bulk?
For one small bed, bags are convenient. Once you need more than about a cubic yard, bulk delivery is often more economical — check local suppliers.
Beginner tip: Add roughly 10% extra to allow for settling.
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