How this calculator works
It multiplies the bed’s length, width and fill depth to find the volume of soil, shown in cubic feet, bags, and cubic yards.
Worked example — a 4 ft × 4 ft bed filled 10 inches deep:
16 × (10 ÷ 12) = 13.3 cubic feet → about 9 bags.
16 × (10 ÷ 12) = 13.3 cubic feet → about 9 bags.
A money-saving mix
Filling deep beds entirely with bagged soil gets expensive. Many gardeners fill the bottom third with logs, leaves or cheaper fill, then top with quality soil.
Frequently asked questions
How much soil for a 4×4 raised bed?
About 13 cubic feet at a 10-inch fill depth — roughly 9 bags.
What soil goes in a raised bed?
A blend of topsoil, compost and aeration (like perlite) — often sold as “raised bed mix”.