Cost guide · Topsoil
How much soil for a 4x8 raised bed?
A 4 × 8 ft raised bed 12 in deep holds 32 cu ft of soil. Add 10% for settling and buy 35.2 cu ft: 47 bags of 0.75 cu ft ($164.50) or 1.5 cu yd in bulk ($135.00 delivered). At the default prices bulk is already cheaper for one bed, if your yard will deliver a load that small.
Prices Ballpark U.S. home-center figures, not quotes. Default price list reviewed . Enter local prices in the calculator for a tighter number.
Materials takeoff
How much soil for a 4x8 raised bed? · https://estimahome.com/guides/raised-bed-soil-4x8/
Bed or area length: 8 ftBed or area width: 4 ftDepth: 12 in
- Area
- 32 sq ft
- Volume
- 35.2 cu ft · 1.3 cu yd
- Bags
- 47 × 0.75 cu ft
- Weight
- 1.43 tons
| No. | Item | Qty | Unit | Unit cost | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Topsoil, 0.75 cu ft bags | 47 | bag | $3.50 | $164.50 |
- Subtotal
- $164.50
- Likely range
- $139.82 – $189.18
| No. | Item | Qty | Unit | Unit cost | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Topsoil, bulk | 1.5 | cu yd | $40.00 | $60.00 |
| 3 | Delivery | 1 | trip | $75.00 | $75.00 |
- Subtotal
- $135.00
- Likely range
- $114.75 – $155.25
- Bulk usually wins on price above two or three cubic yards; bags are easier for small beds and tight access.
- Measure irregular beds as several rectangles, or use average length × average width.
Buy these materials
Bags are listed below. Bulk is ordered from a local landscape yard.
- 47 0.75 cu ft bags of topsoilAmazon search for 0.75 cu ft bags of topsoil (opens in new tab)
Links open a store search for each item. Check sizes and grades against your plan.
Open the topsoil calculator with these inputsChange any measurement, assumption or price and the takeoff updates.
How the numbers work
- Volume: 8 × 4 × 12 in ÷ 12 = 32 cu ft.
- Settling: × 1.1 = 35.2 cu ft, or 1.3 cu yd.
- Bags: 35.2 ÷ 0.75 cu ft, rounded up = 47.
- Bulk: 1.3 cu yd rounded up to the next 0.5 yd = 1.5 cu yd.
- Bags: 47 × $3.50 = $164.50. Bulk: 1.5 × $40.00 + 1 × $75.00 = $135.00.
Comparison
| Bed depth | Cu ft | Bags | Bag cost | Bulk delivered |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 in | 17.6 | 24 | $84.00 | $115.00 (1 yd) |
| 12 in | 35.2 | 47 | $164.50 | $135.00 (1.5 yd) |
| 18 in | 52.8 | 71 | $248.50 | $155.00 (2 yd) |
| 24 in | 70.4 | 94 | $329.00 | $195.00 (3 yd) |
Each row is a separate run of the Topsoil Calculator at default prices. The highlighted row is the project above.
What changes the cost
- Soil blend
- Raised beds are usually filled with a blend of topsoil and compost rather than straight topsoil. Raised-bed mix and compost cost more than the $3.50 topsoil default; enter the price of what you buy.
- Settling and waste
- Loose fill settles over the first season. 10% extra keeps the bed full and covers what spills off the wheelbarrow; plan to top it up the next spring.
- Bags or bulk
- Bulk carries a $75.00 delivery charge, so it pays once the order is big enough. Two beds at 12 in come to 94 bags ($329.00) against $195.00 in bulk. Ask the yard about minimum orders.
- Bed depth
- Most vegetables grow well in 12 in of loose soil. Deeper beds cost more to fill.
- Labor versus DIY
- Filling a bed is DIY work. Bulk soil is dumped where the truck can reach, so plan the wheelbarrow route before delivery day.
- Regional prices
- Default prices are ballpark U.S. home-center figures. Expect them to differ by region, season, brand and grade. Enter your store's prices in the calculator and every quantity on this page reprices.
Questions
How many bags of soil for a 4x8 raised bed?
47 bags of 0.75 cu ft for 12 in deep with 10% for settling. With 1 cu ft bags it is 36.
How many cubic yards for a 4x8 raised bed?
1.3 cu yd at 12 in deep with settling. Many yards sell in ½ yd steps, so order 1.5.
How much soil for a 4x8 bed 10 inches deep?
26.67 cu ft before settling, which is 40 bags of 0.75 cu ft with 10% extra.
Figures computed with the Topsoil Calculator and the default price list (/api/prices.json, reviewed October 20, 2026). Quantities are rounded up to what stores sell. Updated 2026-10-20.