Soil calculator for Louisiana
Calculate cubic yards for beds, raised planters, and landscape jobs, then match the soil to the work.
Enter your project dimensions
A 4 x 8 raised bed filled to 12 inches needs 32 cubic feet of soil. That works out to 1.2 cubic yards, more than many first-time builders expect when they plan for a few bags. Use this calculator for any bed, planter, or yard job and select from the three soil types available. Soil weight changes by blend: garden soil weighs about 2,000 lb per cubic yard, screened topsoil weighs 2,200, and fill dirt weighs 2,400. Choose the material you plan to order for an accurate ton total.
Three steps for bed math
- Get the dimensions of every bed or planter in feet. Use multiple-areas mode to add all beds into one total.
- Use 4-6 inches to refresh an existing bed, 6 inches for a new bed at ground level, or 12 inches for an empty raised planter.
- Divide cubic feet by 27 to get cubic yards. Multiply yards by 1.0 to 1.2 for tons, based on soil type.
Tons = yards × 1.0 (garden soil) · 1.1 (topsoil) · 1.2 (fill dirt)
Coverage and weights
| Soil type | Weight per cubic yard | Tons per yard |
|---|---|---|
| Garden soil (blended with compost) | ≈ 2,000 lb | 1.00 |
| Topsoil (screened) | ≈ 2,200 lb | 1.10 |
| Fill dirt | ≈ 2,400 lb | 1.20 |
| Depth | 1 cubic yard covers | 3 yards cover |
|---|---|---|
| 2 inches | 162 sq ft | 486 sq ft |
| 4 inches | 81 sq ft | 243 sq ft |
| 6 inches | 54 sq ft | 162 sq ft |
| 12 inches, raised bed | 27 sq ft | 81 sq ft |
Choose soil by project
- Plant vegetables, flowers, and containers with compost-blended garden soil that is ready to use.
- Choose screened topsoil for lawn work and final grading. The Topsoil Calculator covers lawn depths and sample calculations.
- Put fill dirt below when filling holes or changing grade, then use good soil for the planting layer.
- For worn-out native ground, work 2-3 inches of garden soil through the upper 6 inches instead of swapping out the entire bed. It takes less material and helps roots move into the existing soil.
Fill raised beds for less
For beds taller than 18 inches, save garden soil for the root zone. Use fill dirt or coarse organic matter that composts in place for the lower third, then add 8-12 inches of garden soil above. Calculate each layer separately, and measure the full 12 inches rather than estimating.
Example: three 4 x 8 beds
For a Ninety-six square foot bed filled 12 inches deep, plan on 96 cubic feet, or 3.6 cubic yards and approximately 3.6 tons of garden soil. Purchase 4 yards. The compost portion settles about 10% during the first weeks, so use the extra to refill beds after the initial settling.
Improve clay and sand in place
Clay holds water too long, while sand dries out quickly between watering. Treat either soil by mixing 2-3 inches of compost-blended garden soil into the top 6 inches, then repeat for a couple of seasons. That uses a third of the material and lifting of full replacement, while roots and worms continue working the blend downward. Replace soil to full depth only when construction debris or contamination makes the native ground unusable.
Bulk soil or bags
One cubic yard is about 36 bags at 40 lb each. A raised bed can require 43 bags, then those 43 bags still need moving again. Bulk soil arrives in one tip and uses less handling per cubic foot. Bags work well for topping off one planter. Have the pile placed on a tarp, since soil can stain concrete and the tarp makes cleanup a simple drag-and-fold.
Soil math for beds and bags
How much soil is needed for a 4x8 raised bed?
How do garden soil, topsoil, and fill dirt differ?
How many soil bags equal a cubic yard?
How many yards of dirt are required for beds?
Will bulk soil settle after placement?
Can delivered garden soil be planted in directly?
Other calculators
Measured the beds? Order soil online.
Garden soil, topsoil, and fill dirt sold by the yard with free delivery included.
