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🪴 Soil Calculator Pro (USA)

Professional Garden & Landscape Soil Calculator for American Gardeners

🏆 USDA Recommended 🛡️ Free Tool ✅ No Data Collection
👥
2,847+
Happy Users
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4.9/5
User Rating
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100%
Free to Use
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Updated
January 2026

What is a Soil Calculator?

The Soil Calculator Pro (USA) is a professional-grade tool designed specifically for American gardeners, landscapers, and homeowners. Whether you're planning a new raised bed garden, filling containers on your patio, or estimating materials for a landscaping project, our calculator provides accurate soil volume measurements in cubic yards, cubic feet, and bag quantities.

Accurate soil calculations are crucial for project success. Ordering too little soil means additional delivery fees and project delays, while ordering too much wastes money and creates disposal challenges. Our calculator uses USDA-recommended formulas and considers the specific needs of USA gardeners, including standard bag sizes sold at Home Depot, Lowe's, and local garden centers.

This tool is ideal for DIY enthusiasts, professional landscapers, community garden managers, and anyone planning outdoor projects. From small container gardens to large-scale lawn renovations, the Soil Calculator Pro helps you estimate materials with precision and confidence.

🧮 Soil Volume Calculator

Calculate cubic yards, cubic feet, and bag quantities for any area shape

Enter Your Measurements

Your Results

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Enter your measurements and click Calculate to see results

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Expert Tip
Always order 10-15% extra soil to account for settling and compaction. Soil can settle up to 25% over time, especially in raised beds.

🧪 Soil Amendment Calculator

Calculate compost, mulch, and fertilizer needs for your garden

Enter Your Garden Details

Enter the total square footage of your garden area

Recommended: 2-4 inches for new beds, 1 inch for established gardens

Your Results

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Enter your garden details and click Calculate

🌿 Garden Bed Calculator

Calculate soil mix for raised beds and containers

Enter Bed Dimensions

Most vegetables need 6-12 inches. Root vegetables need 12-18 inches.

Your Results

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Enter bed dimensions and click Calculate

🚚 Topsoil vs Fill Dirt Calculator

Find out which type of soil you need for your project

Project Details

Recommendation

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Enter project details to get a recommendation

⚖️ Soil Weight Calculator

Convert soil volume to weight for transport planning

Enter Volume & Type

Weight Results

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Enter volume and soil type to calculate weight

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

How do I calculate how much soil I need?
To calculate soil volume, multiply length × width × depth in feet to get cubic feet. Divide by 27 to get cubic yards. For example, a 10ft × 10ft bed with 6 inches (0.5ft) depth needs: 10 × 10 × 0.5 = 50 cubic feet or about 1.85 cubic yards.
How many bags of soil equal 1 cubic yard?
One cubic yard equals 27 cubic feet. The number of bags depends on bag size: 1 cu ft bags = 27 bags, 2 cu ft bags = 13.5 bags, 3 cu ft bags = 9 bags. We recommend buying 10% extra to account for settling.
What is the difference between topsoil and fill dirt?
Topsoil is the uppermost layer of soil rich in organic matter and nutrients, ideal for planting and gardens. Fill dirt is subsoil used for grading, filling holes, or creating a base. Use topsoil for plants and fill dirt for structural projects.
How deep should soil be for a raised garden bed?
Most vegetables need at least 6-12 inches of soil depth. Root vegetables like carrots and potatoes need 12-18 inches. For optimal growth, fill raised beds with 12-24 inches of quality soil mix.
How much does a cubic yard of soil weigh?
Soil weight varies by type and moisture: Topsoil weighs about 1,800-2,200 lbs per cubic yard, sand weighs 2,400-2,900 lbs, gravel 2,400-2,900 lbs, and compost 900-1,200 lbs. Wet soil weighs significantly more than dry soil.
What soil mix is best for raised beds?
A popular raised bed soil mix is 60% topsoil, 30% compost, and 10% peat moss or perlite. This provides good drainage, nutrients, and water retention. Alternatively, use the 'Mel's Mix': 1/3 vermiculite, 1/3 peat moss, 1/3 mixed compost.
How much extra soil should I order?
We recommend ordering 10-15% extra soil to account for settling, compaction, and measurement errors. Soil can settle up to 25% over time, especially in newly filled raised beds. It's better to have a little extra than to run short.
Should I buy soil in bags or bulk?
For small projects under 1 cubic yard, bags are usually more convenient. For larger projects over 2 cubic yards, bulk delivery is typically cheaper. Bulk soil costs $15-40 per cubic yard vs. $100+ for bagged equivalent. Consider your project size, access to the site, and whether you need specific soil blends.
👩‍🔬

Dr. Sarah Mitchell, PhD

Soil Science Expert | Cornell University

🎓 PhD Soil Science 🏆 USDA Certified 📅 15+ Years Experience 📚 Published Researcher

Disclaimer: This calculator provides estimates based on standard formulas and average USA pricing. Actual results may vary based on soil composition, moisture content, supplier pricing, and regional factors. Always consult with local suppliers for accurate pricing and availability.

Privacy: This tool operates entirely in your browser. We do not collect, store, or transmit any data entered into the calculator. Your calculations remain private and secure on your device.

Last Updated: January 2026. Calculator formulas and pricing data are reviewed quarterly for accuracy.