Small Bag (2.0 cu ft)
Standard Bag (2.5 cu ft)
Large Bag (3.0 cu ft)
Expanded Shavings (3.25 cu ft)
XL Compressed (5.5 cu ft)
Total Area: 0 sq. ft.
Total Volume Needed: 0 cubic feet
Number of Bags Needed: 0 bags
How to Calculate Animal or Garden Bedding
Whether you are prepping a horse stall, a chicken coop, or a new garden bed, calculating the correct amount of bedding is essential for budget management and animal comfort. Using our Bedding Calculator ensures you don't over-purchase or run short mid-setup.
Measurement Formula
To calculate the volume manually, you can use the following formula:
Step 1: Multiply Length (ft) × Width (ft) to get Square Footage.
Step 2: Multiply Square Footage × (Desired Depth in inches ÷ 12) to get Cubic Feet.
Step 3: Divide Total Cubic Feet by the volume listed on your bedding bag.
Realistic Bedding Examples
Example 1: Standard Horse Stall
A typical 12′ x 12′ stall requires a depth of 4 inches of wood shavings.
144 sq ft × 0.33 ft (4 inches) = 48 cubic feet.
If using 3.0 cu ft bags, you would need 16 bags for the initial fill.
Example 2: Small Chicken Coop
A 4′ x 6′ coop with a 2-inch "deep litter" base.
24 sq ft × 0.166 ft (2 inches) = 4 cubic feet.
This would require exactly 2 bags of 2.0 cu ft bedding.
Bedding Material Types
The type of material changes how often you need to replace it:
Wood Shavings: Highly absorbent, great for horses and large livestock.
Pine Pellets: Expand when wet; often used as a base layer.
Straw: High volume but lower absorbency; best for foaling or specific garden uses.
Hemp Bedding: Low dust and high absorbency, though usually more expensive per bag.
function calculateBedding() {
var length = parseFloat(document.getElementById('bed_length').value);
var width = parseFloat(document.getElementById('bed_width').value);
var depthInches = parseFloat(document.getElementById('bed_depth').value);
var bagSize = parseFloat(document.getElementById('bag_size').value);
if (isNaN(length) || isNaN(width) || isNaN(depthInches) || length <= 0 || width <= 0 || depthInches <= 0) {
alert("Please enter valid positive numbers for length, width, and depth.");
return;
}
// Calculation logic
var sqFt = length * width;
var depthFeet = depthInches / 12;
var totalCuFt = sqFt * depthFeet;
var totalBags = Math.ceil(totalCuFt / bagSize);
// Display results
document.getElementById('res_sqft').innerText = sqFt.toLocaleString(undefined, {minimumFractionDigits: 0, maximumFractionDigits: 2});
document.getElementById('res_cuft').innerText = totalCuFt.toLocaleString(undefined, {minimumFractionDigits: 0, maximumFractionDigits: 2});
document.getElementById('res_bags').innerText = totalBags.toLocaleString();
document.getElementById('bedding_result').style.display = 'block';
}