Soil projects fail more often from a miscalculated volume than from any other reason — too little means an extra delivery, too much means waste. The formula is simple, but the units and settling fool everyone at least once.
Length × width × depth
Volume is the product of the three dimensions, and the only real trap is mixed units — depth in centimetres or inches versus area in metres or feet. Convert everything first, then multiply, and you have your cubic requirement.
The settling factor
Freshly delivered soil is loose and full of air. It settles and compacts after spreading and watering, typically losing 10–20% of its volume. Accounting for that in the order is the difference between a finished bed and a half-full one.
Bulk vs bags
For anything beyond a few cubic metres, bulk delivery wins on price. But the real cost comparison must be per cubic metre — once you know your volume, you can flatten the apples and oranges of bags versus truckloads.
Frequently asked questions
Multiply length × width × depth (all in the same unit) to get volume. This calculator converts your units and adds a waste allowance for settling.
Yes — most soil compacts by 10–20%. Ordering a little extra and planning a top-up avoids coming up short.
Almost always bulk delivery, but only if you need enough volume to justify it. Compare both on price per cubic metre.