Calculators
Garden Bed Topsoil Calculator
Raised beds and in-ground vegetable plots often need 6 to 8 inches of quality topsoil on top of native soil. Example: 8 ft by 4 ft at 6 inches deep.
One-cubic-foot bags are the default purchase line; compare loose bulk if you need more than a few yards.
Use the controls below for your bed dimensions.
| Item | Area | Size | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cubic feet | — | 16 cu ft | 16 cubic feet |
| Cubic yards | — | 0.6 cu yd | about 0.59 cubic yards |
| 1 cu ft bagged topsoil | — | 16 cu ft | 16 bags |
| 40 lb bagged topsoil (0.75 cu ft per bag) | — | 16 cu ft | 22 bags |
| Loose bulk topsoil delivery | — | 0.6 cu yd | 1 cubic yard |
Assumptions
- Length: 8 ft
- Width: 4 ft
- Coverage area: 32 sq ft
- Depth: 6 in
- Volume: 16.00 cu ft
- Loose bulk sold in half-yard increments
- 40 lb bag volume: 0.75 cu ft per bag (stated on this page)
Supplies checklist
- Garden rake for spreading and leveling
- Wheelbarrow or yard cart
- Landscape fabric (optional under paths)
- Work gloves for bagged soil
Estimates only. Check the coverage figure on your product before buying.
The Handy Pages · thehandypages.com
Bagged topsoil and bed prep gear
- 1 cu ft bagged topsoil for small beds and spot leveling (opens in new tab)
- Garden rake for spreading and grading new soil (opens in new tab)
- Wheelbarrow or yard cart for moving bagged soil (opens in new tab)
- Work gloves for handling wet bagged topsoil (opens in new tab)
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