Raised Bed Fill & Bag Planner
Calculate soil to add after accounting for interior dimensions, an unfilled top gap, existing fill, bags, and bulk order increments.
Set your project details
Measure the usable inside of the bed. Subtract the top watering gap and material already in the bed before choosing a soil order.
See how the quantities change
The labeled view updates when you edit the inputs. It prints with the result.
Swipe the diagram sideways to see every label. The calculated quantities are listed below.
Your estimate appears here
Enter your measurements and calculate to see required and purchase amounts.
The calculation
Worked example (U.S. customary)
An 8 × 4 ft interior filled 16 in deep needs 42.67 finished cubic feet, or 1.58 cubic yards. A 10% allowance gives about 47 cubic feet before packaging.
Measure the usable interior
Board thickness reduces the inside footprint. Measure length and width between the walls, and record the vertical space from the existing fill to the desired soil level. The top gap leaves room below the rim for watering and mulch.
Keep volume and package rounding separate
The tool first reports finished cubic feet for the new soil layer. A settling allowance increases the planned order volume. Bags round up by their printed cubic-foot size; bulk soil rounds to the supplier minimum and increment you enter. Both routes use the same underlying space to fill.
Check what is already in the bed
Existing fill is modeled as a level layer. Logs, stones, tapered sides, or different soil zones need their own volume estimate. Also confirm the growing mix and drainage approach for the crops you intend to plant; a cubic-yard result cannot choose a soil recipe.
What to check before buying
Existing fill is treated as a level layer. Irregular logs, drainage layers, or tapered sides need separate measurement. Ask the supplier for a mix suited to your plants.
Common questions
Why are bulk yards greater than the exact required yards?
The order is rounded to the entered supplier minimum and increment after the settling allowance.
Should I measure outside the boards?
No. Only interior space will be filled with soil.
Read the related How much soil does a raised bed need?, or use the full garden beds & mulch planner for a complete material list.