Use this handy soil calculator to calculate the total size (volume) of your garden bed, raised bed, flower pot, container, or window box to know how much soil, mulch, compost, or potting mix you need and the estimated cost to fill it.
We also have a Garden Name Generator if you would like to know your garden’s true name (it’s fun!).
Getting Started
To get started, you’ll need the measurements of your garden bed or container in either feet/inches or meters/centimeters. The calculator illustrates exactly which measurements are needed.
You’ll also need to know what depth of soil, mulch, compost, or potting mix you want.
To estimate total costs, you’ll need the cost per bag (or unit) of the product you’ll be buying. If you’re ordering a bulk delivery, you’ll need the cost per cubic yard or meter.
Feel free to jump in and use the calculator. If you need help, there are two examples below.
Contents
Soil Calculator
We have done our best to provide an accurate calculator but cannot assume any responsibility.
Empress of Dirt
SOIL CALCULATOR
For Soil, Mulch, Compost,
& Potting Mix
Steps:
Calculate Amount Needed
Enter size of garden bed or container.Estimate Total Cost (optional)
Enter basic cost of materials to estimate totals.Summary
Use copy to clipboard button to save your calculations.
Total volume
Use dropdown arrow to view other units
2. Estimate Total Cost
3. Summary
Your calculations:
How To Use The Calculator
Garden Bed Example
Let’s figure out how much soil is needed to start our new garden bed.
1Calculate Amount Needed
To get started, choose your medium/product: soil, mulch, compost, or potting mix.
For this example, we’re choosing soil.
Medium/Product – Choose One:
Next, choose one: garden bed, raised bed, window box, or flower pot or urn.
For this example, we’re choosing garden bed.
Type & Size – Choose One:
To calculate the total volume of soil needed, we need 3 measurements:
- the garden bed width
- the garden bed length
- how deep you want the soil (“desired depth”)
We’re measuring in feet/inches. You can also choose meters/centimeters.
In this example:
- The width of the garden bed is 7 feet 2 inches. You could also enter 86 inches.
- The length of the garden bed is 11 feet 4 inches (or 136 inches).
- For desired soil depth, we want 8 inches.
After clicking Calculate Amount Needed this is what we see:
Use the dropdown menu to view your calculation in any of these units:
- Quarts
- Cubic feet or yards
- Liters
- Cubic meters
We’ve selected cubic yards as our units because we’re going to buy soil in bulk and it is sold by the cubic yard.
The results box also shows the total volume of soil needed to fill 2, 3, 4, and 5 garden beds of the same dimensions.
If you want to edit your inputs click Edit. If you want to start over, click Try again.
If you want to save your results without estimating costs, click Summary to jump to that section.
2Estimate Total Cost
If you want to estimate the total cost of materials (soil, mulch, compost, or potting mix), provide the basic product information—based on the bag size and price where you shop.
If you are buying in bulk, enter the cost per cubic yard or cubic meter.
To continue the garden bed example, we will estimate the cost of a bulk delivery of soil to fill 1 bed in the dimensions we provided (in Step 1).
The product cost at our local plant nursery is $55.75 per cubic yard (plus taxes and delivery).
Enter Details:
Depending on the product and your location, the product may be sold in any of these units:
Bags
- Quarts
- Cubic feet or yards
- Liters
- Cubic meters
Bulk (common for delivery by truck)
- Cubic yards (3 feet x 3 feet x 3 feet)
- Cubic meters (100cm x 100cm x 100cm)
To see the estimate, click this button:
This is the estimate for this example:
The actual total volume of soil needed is 2.1 cubic yards. The calculator rounds it up to 3 cubic yards (units) because you can’t buy partial yards. A delivery of 3 yards ensures there is enough (with some leftover).
The total cost is $167.25 (based on the product information entered) and does not include any applicable taxes or delivery charge.
The Edit button lets you change your inputs. Try again lets you start over.
After editing, use the button to view the updated results.
3Summary
The summary section provides a record of the information you entered.
Your calculations:
You can save the information to your device using the Copy to clipboard button.
To do another calculation, click Start over.
flower pot Example
Let’s figure out how much potting mix we need to fill a flower pot.
1Calculate Amount Needed
To get started, choose your medium/product: soil, mulch, compost, or potting mix.
For this example, we want potting mix.
Medium/Product – Choose One:
Next, choose one: garden bed, raised bed, window box, or flower pot or urn.
We’re filling a flower pot.
Type & Size – Choose One:
Flower Pot Example
Let’s calculate how much potting mix is needed to fill a flower pot.
We’re measuring in feet/inches. You can also choose meters/centimeters.
In this example:
- The top diameter of the pot is 1 foot 3 inches. You could also enter 15 inches.
- The bottom diameter of the pot is 1 foot (or 12 inches).
- The height is 10 inches. You may want to add a few extra inches to allow for how potting mix compresses when moist.
After clicking Calculate Amount Needed this is what we see:
Use the dropdown menu to view your calculation in any of these units:
- Quarts
- Cubic feet or yards
- Liters
- Cubic meters
It’s handy to switch to the same units listed on your product bag. The potting mix we use is sold by cubic feet so I’ve selected that unit.
The results box also shows the total volume of potting mix needed to fill 2, 3, 4, and 5 pots.
If you want to edit your inputs click Edit. If you want to start over, click Try again.
If you want to save your results without estimating costs, click Summary to jump to that section.
2Estimate Total Cost
If you want to estimate the total cost of materials (soil, mulch, compost, or potting mix), provide the basic product information—based on the bag size and price where you shop.
If you are buying in bulk, enter the cost per cubic yard or cubic meter.
To continue the flower pot example, we will estimate the cost of potting mix for 4 pots.
The product at the store comes in 3.0 cubic feet bags that cost $6.98 each.
Enter Details:
Depending on the product and your location, the product may be sold in any of these units:
Bags
- Quarts
- Cubic feet or yards
- Liters
- Cubic meters
Bulk (common for delivery by truck)
- Cubic yards (3 feet x 3 feet x 3 feet)
- Cubic meters (100cm x 100cm x 100cm)
To see the estimate, click this button:
This is the estimate for this example:
The actual total volume of potting mix needed is 1.2 bags and the calculator rounds it up to 2 bags, ensuring you buy enough.
The total cost is $13.96 (based on the product information entered) and does not include any applicable taxes or delivery charge.
The Edit button lets you change your inputs. Try again lets you start over.
After editing, use the button to view the updated results.
3Summary
The summary section provides a record of the information you entered.
Your calculations:
You can save the information to your device using the Copy to clipboard button.
To do another calculation, click Start over.
Resources
Soil
It is not easy to find good quality garden soil you can trust and feel confident it does not contain weed seeds or herbicide residue or other troubling things. It is worth learning the right questions to ask and what to look out for.
Buying Soil For Your Garden? Read This First
Every gardener will buy soil or soil amendments at some point, but why is this simple task so confusing? What’s the best product to buy? Whether you choose bags or a bulk delivery, there are things to watch out for.
Clever Ways To Fill Tall Raised Beds & Save On Soil
What is the best way to fill a tall raised bed without spending a lot of money? The secret is to put your best soil where you need it and fill the rest of the container with other harmless materials like biodegradable tree trimmings and leaves. There are plenty of natural, organic, and synthetic options.
The Cardboard Method For Turning Lawn Into Garden Beds
Instructions for a simple way to eradicate grass and weeds where you want to establish a new garden bed.
Mulch
In general, most mulch should just be a few inches deep (at most), allowing air and water to reach the soil below and not too bulky.
Why Your Garden Needs Mulch & How To Do It Right
Find out why your garden needs mulch and how it will improve your soil to give plants a better growing environment. There are plenty of organic options right in your own yard including fallen leaves.
Compost
Compost is a natural amendment used to improve your soil. You can create your own compost using various food scraps and fallen leaves as well as buying ready-made compost or composted manure. Check your sources carefully to prevent contaminating your soil with herbicides or other harmful ingredients.
Composting 101 | Slow & Fast Methods
Keeping food scraps for composting has two environmental benefits. It diverts the waste from landfills, and the compost provides beneficial organic matter to support plant growth.
Easy Winter Composting in a Cold Climate
We know composting is good for the garden and the environment but did you know you can save food scraps for composting all year-round—even in a cold climate? Composting in winter is simple and takes just minutes each week. I’ll walk you through the method I use from late fall to early spring.
Should I Use Compost Tea?
Is compost tea good for plants? Should I make it for my garden? Let’s look at what is known about compost tea and what—if any—value it has for improving soil and feeding plants.
Tips for Using Animal Manures in the Garden
Animal manures are an excellent source of nutrients for our gardens and help improve soil structure. But which ones are best? Cattle? Sheep? Horse? Also, find out why manure should be composted before use and what to know before you buy.
Easy Composting Without Pests (Sorry, Rats!)
Need a rat-proof compost bin that keeps rodents including mice out? This tumbler compost bin keeps your food scraps away from pests and makes good compost for the garden.
How to Make Leaf Mold (Free Organic Soil Amendment)
Leaf mold is so simple to create and beneficial for your soil. Just pile up your fall leaves, let them decompose, and in time you’ll have this organic soil amendment.
Potting Mix
Be sure any potting mix you use is “food safe” or intended for organic vegetable gardens. This will help ensure you do not introduce any undesirable additives to your soil since most potting mix will eventually end up in the compost bin or garden.
Is it Safe to Reuse Potting Soil or Should I Start Fresh?
Is it safe to reuse potting soil from our planters or is it better to start fresh each year? Find out the best options for your garden containers.
5 Recipes for Blending Your Own Soil Mixes
These soil mix recipes are from the new book, Urban Farming: Sustainable City Living in Your Backyard, in Your Community, and in the World (2nd Edition), by Thomas Fox. Find out how to make homemade growing medium for starting seeds, rooting cuttings, and growing potted plants.
~Melissa the Empress of Dirt ♛
PS: Don’t forget to try out the Garden Name Generator here.
