Work out the volume of soil, topsoil or garden mix a bed needs, in cubic yards and cubic feet. Add your supplier's density for a weight estimate.
| Input | Result |
|---|---|
| 8 ft × 4 ft, 12 in deep | 1.19 yd³ · 32 ft³ |
| 20 ft × 10 ft, 6 in deep | 3.7 yd³ · 100 ft³ |
| 12 ft × 12 ft, 8 in deep | 3.56 yd³ · 96 ft³ |
The volume of material you need is exact, it is your measured length, width and depth. The weight is not. Aggregate, soil and stone are sold by the ton but their density varies with moisture content, gradation, and how much the load has compacted, and published figures from different suppliers disagree by wide margins. Any single number printed here would look authoritative and be wrong for someone.
So this page gives you the volume in cubic yards and cubic feet, which is what you actually order against, and converts to weight only if you supply the density from your own supplier’s spec sheet. Ask the yard for their pounds-per-cubic-yard figure, they will have one, and it will be right for the pile you are buying from. Dividing that number by 2,000 gives tons.
Depth is worth a second thought before you order. Measured loose, material settles and compacts; a depth that looks right before compaction is often thin afterwards, which is why most guides specify a compacted depth rather than a poured one.
Divide cubic feet by 27. One cubic yard is 3 ft × 3 ft × 3 ft = 27 cubic feet.
Because density varies with moisture, gradation and compaction, and published figures disagree. Enter the pounds-per-cubic-yard figure from your own supplier and the page will convert it.
No. Sub-grade is uneven and material compacts after placement. Ordering 5–10% over the calculated volume is normal trade practice.