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Garden soil calculator
Planning a vegetable bed, flower border or new lawn and not sure how much soil to order? Enter the area in m² and the layer depth in cm. The calculator returns the volume in m³ and litres, the number of 50-litre bags required and the approximate weight in tonnes.
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How we calculate soil quantity
Formula: volume (m³) = area (m²) × depth (cm) ÷ 100. Litres = m³ × 1,000. Bags (50 l) = ceil(litres ÷ 50). Weight (t) = m³ × 1.4 t/m³ (typical density of garden soil). The result is indicative — actual consumption depends on compaction and soil composition.
Example: 10 m² bed, 20 cm layer
A 10 m² bed with a 20 cm soil layer: volume = 10 × 0.20 = 2 m³ = 2,000 litres. You need 40 bags of 50 l or about 2.8 tonnes of soil. If ordering in bulk, allow 20% extra for settling: order 2.4 m³.
Frequently asked questions
How much soil do I need for a vegetable bed?
For a standard 1 m × 3 m bed with a 20 cm layer you need 0.6 m³ of garden soil — 600 litres or 12 bags of 50 l. Enter your own dimensions in the calculator to get the exact figure.
How do I calculate soil volume in m³?
Formula: volume (m³) = area (m²) × depth (m). Because depth is usually given in cm, divide by 100 first. Example: 5 m² × 0.25 m = 1.25 m³. The calculator handles the conversion automatically.
How many 50-litre bags of soil do I need?
Convert volume to litres (m³ × 1,000), divide by 50 and round up. For 2 m³: 2,000 ÷ 50 = 40 bags. Buy one spare bag for top-ups. The calculator gives the rounded-up figure.
What is the difference between garden soil and universal compost?
Garden soil is heavier (approx. 1.2–1.6 t/m³), mineral-rich and used in beds and borders. Universal (peat-based) compost is lighter and more porous — suited to pots and containers. The calculator uses 1.4 t/m³, typical for garden soil.
How much does garden soil weigh?
Garden soil weighs approximately 1.2–1.6 t/m³ depending on moisture and composition. The calculator uses 1.4 t/m³ as a reasonable midpoint. 1 m³ therefore weighs around 1,400 kg. A standard car can carry at most 500 kg.
How deep should I lay soil for a lawn?
For a new seeded lawn, a topsoil layer of at least 10–15 cm is recommended, ideally 20 cm. With layering (drainage sand + topsoil) allow 10 cm of drainage and 15 cm of soil. Use the calculator for each layer separately.
Can I buy garden soil in bulk by the cubic metre?
Yes — garden centres and builders merchants sell garden soil loose by the m³. This is cheaper than bags for larger quantities (above 3–5 m³). Factor in delivery cost and remember that loose soil takes up 20–30% more space before compaction.
How do I convert litres of soil to kg?
One litre of garden soil weighs approximately 1.4 kg. Example: 500 litres × 1.4 kg/l = 700 kg. Peat-based compost is lighter at 0.5–0.8 kg/l. Check the manufacturer label for exact weight when calculating transport loads.
How much soil do shrubs and ornamental plants need?
A single shrub is typically planted in a 50 × 50 × 50 cm hole, which is 0.125 m³ of soil. For a full border at 30 cm depth, you need 0.3 m³ (300 litres) per m². Enter the total border area in the calculator to get bags and tonnes.
How does compaction affect the calculated volume?
Freshly poured soil is loose and contains air — after compaction volume decreases by 15–25%. Add a 20% buffer when ordering: if you need 1 m³ of compacted soil, order 1.2 m³ loose. The calculator shows loose volume, which corresponds to the purchase quantity.
Results are indicative. Weight depends on soil moisture and type — actual values may differ from those shown. Always check the manufacturer data on the soil packaging.
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