Home & DIY

Soil Volume Calculator

Cubic yards, bags and weight of soil for any area and depth.

Enter your values

Enter the length in ft.

Enter the width in ft.

Enter the depth in in.

Enter the bag size in cu ft.

Enter the price per yard in $.

Results update instantly as you type — no submit needed. Your values are remembered on this device, and the shareable link reopens the calculator with exactly these numbers.

Results
Soil needed
3.7 cubic yards
Cubic feet
100 ft3
Bags
67 x 1.5 cu ft
Approx weight
8,148 lb (4.07 tons)
Bulk cost
$148.15

Working

  1. 120 x 10 x 0.5 = 100 ft3 = 3.7 yd3

Quick answer

Soil volume = length x width x depth. Divide cubic feet by 27 for cubic yards, and by the bag size for bag count.

yd3 = L x W x depth/12 / 27

At a glance

What it doesCubic yards, bags and weight of soil for any area and depth.
CategoryHome & DIY
Inputs neededLength, Width, Depth, Bag size, Price per yard
Main outputSoil needed
Formulayd3 = L x W x depth/12 / 27
CostFree — no sign-up, no download

How to use the Soil Volume Calculator

  1. 1Measure the bed or area and decide how deep you need the soil.
  2. 2For new beds use 6 to 12 inches; for topdressing use 1/4 to 1/2 inch.
  3. 3Compare bulk delivery to bag prices - bulk usually wins over about 1 cubic yard.

Inputs explained

Length(ft)
Enter the length in ft.
Width(ft)
Enter the width in ft.
Depth(in)
Enter the depth in in.
Bag size(cu ft)
Enter the bag size in cu ft.
Price per yard($)
Enter the price per yard in $.

Worked example

Using the values the calculator loads with:

Inputs

  • Length20 ft
  • Width10 ft
  • Depth6 in
  • Bag size1.5 cu ft
  • Price per yard40 $

Results

  • Soil needed3.7 cubic yards
  • Cubic feet100 ft3
  • Bags67 x 1.5 cu ft
  • Approx weight8,148 lb (4.07 tons)
  • Bulk cost$148.15
  1. 20 x 10 x 0.5 = 100 ft3 = 3.7 yd3

Frequently asked questions

How many bags in a cubic yard?

Eighteen 1.5 cu ft bags, or thirteen and a half 2 cu ft bags, make one cubic yard.

Does soil settle?

Yes, loose soil settles 10 to 20% after watering. Order a little extra or plan to top up.

What do I need to enter into the Soil Volume Calculator?

Just 5 values: length, width, depth, bag size, price per yard. Every field starts with a realistic example, so you can change one number at a time and watch the result update instantly.

How does the Soil Volume Calculator work out the answer?

Soil volume = length x width x depth. Divide cubic feet by 27 for cubic yards, and by the bag size for bag count. It applies the formula yd3 = L x W x depth/12 / 27 and shows the working so you can check each step by hand.

Is the Soil Volume Calculator free, and do I need an account?

It is completely free with no sign-up, no download and no usage limit. Everything is calculated in your browser, so the numbers you type never leave your device.

Results are estimates for general information. For medical, legal, structural or financial decisions, confirm with a qualified professional.