DIYCrunch

How to Calculate Topsoil for a Garden bed

Follow these steps to get the right amount of topsoil for any garden bed project, then use the calculator below to skip the math.

  1. Measure the area. Multiply length × width in feet to get square footage.
  2. Apply standard depth. A garden bed typically uses 12" of topsoil.
  3. Convert to cubic yards. Area × (depth in inches ÷ 12) ÷ 27 = cubic yards.
  4. Add overage. Multiply by 1.05 to cover 5% waste.
  5. Round up. Always round up to the next whole cubic yard or bag.

Calculate Topsoil

You need

cubic yard

Area
Volume
With 5% overage
Or in 1 cu ft bag
Estimated cost (US avg)