Yards of Soil Calculator
Results:
' + 'Total Volume: ' + cubicFeet.toFixed(2) + ' cubic feet' + 'You will need approximately ' + cubicYards.toFixed(2) + ' cubic yards of soil.' + '(It\'s often wise to order slightly more than calculated to account for settling and uneven areas.)'; }How to Calculate Yards of Soil for Your Project
Whether you're building a new garden bed, leveling a lawn, or filling a planter, knowing how much soil you need is crucial for budgeting and efficient project planning. Buying too little means delays and extra trips, while buying too much can lead to wasted material and disposal headaches. This guide and calculator will help you accurately determine the cubic yards of soil required for your specific project.
Understanding Cubic Yards
Soil, mulch, gravel, and other landscaping materials are typically sold by the cubic yard. A cubic yard is a unit of volume, representing a cube that is 3 feet long, 3 feet wide, and 3 feet high. This means one cubic yard contains 27 cubic feet (3 ft x 3 ft x 3 ft = 27 cu ft).
The Formula for Soil Volume
To calculate the volume of soil needed, you'll use a simple formula based on the dimensions of your project area. The key is to ensure all your measurements are in consistent units, typically feet, before converting to cubic yards.
The basic formula for volume is:
Volume = Length × Width × Depth
Here's how to apply it for soil calculations:
- Measure Length: Determine the length of the area you need to fill in feet.
- Measure Width: Determine the width of the area you need to fill in feet.
- Determine Desired Depth: Decide how deep you want the soil to be. This is often measured in inches for practical purposes (e.g., 4 inches for topdressing, 6-12 inches for a garden bed).
- Convert Depth to Feet: Since your length and width are in feet, you must convert your desired depth from inches to feet. Divide the depth in inches by 12 (since there are 12 inches in a foot).
Depth (feet) = Depth (inches) / 12 - Calculate Cubic Feet: Multiply your length (feet) by your width (feet) by your converted depth (feet).
Cubic Feet = Length (ft) × Width (ft) × Depth (ft) - Convert to Cubic Yards: Divide your total cubic feet by 27 (since 1 cubic yard = 27 cubic feet).
Cubic Yards = Cubic Feet / 27
Example Calculation
Let's say you want to create a new raised garden bed that is 12 feet long, 4 feet wide, and you want the soil to be 8 inches deep.
- Length: 12 feet
- Width: 4 feet
- Desired Depth: 8 inches
- Convert Depth: 8 inches / 12 = 0.6667 feet (approximately)
- Calculate Cubic Feet: 12 ft × 4 ft × 0.6667 ft = 32 cubic feet
- Convert to Cubic Yards: 32 cubic feet / 27 = 1.185 cubic yards
Based on this, you would need approximately 1.2 cubic yards of soil. It's always a good idea to round up slightly or add a small buffer (e.g., 5-10%) to account for settling, uneven ground, or minor miscalculations.
Tips for Measuring and Ordering Soil
- Measure Accurately: Double-check your measurements, especially for irregular shapes. For circles, the area is πr², then multiply by depth. For triangles, it's (0.5 × base × height) × depth.
- Account for Settling: Soil will compact over time, especially after watering. Consider adding an extra 5-10% to your calculated depth if you want the final settled depth to meet your target.
- Consider Soil Type: Different soil types have different densities and compaction rates. While the volume calculation remains the same, be aware that very loose soil might settle more.
- Delivery Minimums: Many suppliers have minimum delivery quantities (e.g., 1 or 2 cubic yards). Factor this into your planning.
- Round Up: It's almost always better to have a little extra soil than not enough. Round your final cubic yardage up to the nearest half or whole yard.
Use the calculator above to quickly and accurately determine the soil requirements for your next landscaping project!