Interactive raised bed calculator
Enter bed size. Get soil volume, bags, cost, and a shopping list.
Default example: one 4×8×12 in bed, 10% settling, and 2 ft³ bags. Results update automatically as inputs change.
More planners: mix, containers, spacing, top-off, depth, cost, multi-bed, shapes
Raised Bed Soil & Planting Calculator
4×8 Raised Bed 12 Inches Soil Calculator
Preset calculator for a 4×8 raised bed filled 12 inches deep.
Preset: raised bed dimensions
Formula: 4 × 8 × 1 ft = 32 ft³
Worked example: A 4×8×12 in raised bed needs 32 ft³, or about 1.19 yd³.
Adjust the live inputs above before copying the shopping list, printing the result, or buying material.
4×8 bed at 12 inches
These rows use one 4×8 bed, 0 in freeboard, 10% settling allowance, and 2 ft³ bags. Change the live calculator for other assumptions.
| Depth | Before settling | With 10% | 2 ft³ bags | Planning note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 in | 32.00 ft³ | 35.20 ft³ / 1.30 yd³ | 18 | Common raised-bed depth: a practical planning depth for many vegetables when soil and watering are managed well. |
Quick copy: 12 in: 32 ft³ before settling; 35.2 ft³ with 10% settling; 1.3 yd³; about 18 × 2 ft³ bags.
What to verify
- Measuring outside dimensions instead of inside fill dimensions.
- Forgetting freeboard below the bed rim.
- Buying bags without checking the package volume.
Page-specific notes
- Add settling allowance if you want extra fill.
- A 12 inch bed is common for many vegetables.
Disclaimer
BedSoil results are planning estimates for buying and mixing soil. They are not agricultural, engineering, pest, disease, fertilizer, or crop-yield advice. Check product labels, local material quality, drainage, bed construction, climate, and crop variety before purchasing materials.