Soil Calculator

- May 10, 2025
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Calculate the amount of soil needed for your landscaping or gardening project. This calculator helps determine soil volume, weight, and cost based on your measurements.

Select Area Shape

Depth

Soil Type

Cost Information (Optional)

Advanced Options

%

About Soil Calculations

Understanding soil volume and weight calculations is essential for gardening, landscaping, and construction projects.

Common Units and Conversions
  • Volume: cubic feet (ft³), cubic yards (yd³), cubic metres (m³)
  • Area: square feet (ft²), square yards (yd²), square metres (m²), acres
  • Weight: pounds (lbs), tons, kilograms (kg)
  • 1 cubic yard = 27 cubic feet
  • 1 ton = 2,000 pounds
Soil Types and Densities
  • Topsoil: 90-100 lbs/ft³
  • Garden Soil: 78-80 lbs/ft³
  • Mulch: 20-25 lbs/ft³
  • Compost: 40-50 lbs/ft³
  • Sand: 95-110 lbs/ft³
  • Gravel: 105-130 lbs/ft³
Tips for Soil Projects
  • Always add 10-15% extra soil to account for settling and wastage
  • For raised beds, measure the internal dimensions
  • When filling multiple containers, calculate each separately and add them together
  • Consider soil compaction over time, which may require additional soil later
  • For sloped areas, take measurements at several points and use an average
Area Calculation Methods
  • Rectangle: Area = Length × Width
  • Circle: Area = π × (Diameter/2)²
  • Triangle: Area = (Base × Height) ÷ 2
  • Irregular shapes: Divide into simple shapes, calculate each area separately, and add them together

Understanding the Soil Calculator

The Soil Calculator is a handy tool designed to help you determine how much soil you’ll need for your gardening or landscaping project. Whether you’re working on a small flower bed or a larger area, this calculator makes it easy to estimate the volume, weight, and cost of the soil needed. By inputting your measurements and choosing the type of soil, you can get precise calculations tailored to your specific needs.

How to Choose the Area Shape

The first step in using the Soil Calculator is selecting the shape of the area you’re working with. You have several options: rectangular, circular, triangular, or even a custom shape. Each option requires different measurements, such as length and width for rectangles or diameter for circles. By selecting the appropriate shape, you ensure accurate calculations for your soil requirements.

Inputting Measurements for Accurate Results

To get the most accurate results from the Soil Calculator, you need to provide specific measurements. Here’s what you’ll need:

  • Rectangular: Length and width
  • Circular: Diameter
  • Triangular: Base and height
  • Custom: Total area

Additionally, you’ll also enter the soil depth, which is crucial for calculating the total volume of soil required.

Selecting the Soil Type

Next, you’ll choose the type of soil you need. The calculator offers various options, including topsoil, garden soil, mulch, and compost. Each type has a different density, which affects weight and cost. Understanding the properties of each soil type can help you pick the best option for your project. You can also specify a custom soil density if needed.

Determining Cost and Budgeting

Budgeting for your soil project is made simple with the Soil Calculator. You can enter the cost of the soil per cubic yard, ton, or bag. Once you’ve provided this information, the calculator will give you an estimated total cost based on your measurements. This way, you can plan your project without overspending.

Advanced Options for More Precision

The Soil Calculator also includes advanced options that allow you to customise your results further. You can adjust the number of decimal places in your calculations and choose to include a wastage percentage, typically around 10%. This feature is especially useful if you're concerned about soil settling or want to ensure you have enough for your project.

Visualising Your Results

After inputting your measurements and selecting your options, the Soil Calculator generates results that include soil volume, weight, and cost. It even provides a visual representation, helping you understand the data better. This visualisation can be a great aid when planning how to distribute the soil across your project area.

Learning More About Soil Calculations

Understanding how soil volume and weight calculations work is vital for anyone involved in gardening or landscaping. The Soil Calculator not only gives you results but also provides valuable information about common units, soil types, and calculation methods. With this knowledge, you can make more informed choices for your gardening or landscaping needs.