Soil for a 4x8 Raised Bed 8 Inches Deep
A raised bed 4 by 8 feet and 8 inches tall holds 21.3 cubic feet. How much soil for a 4x8 raised bed 8 inches deep in bags: 11 two-cubic-foot bags. In bulk: about 0.79 cubic yards.
Volume and tonnage calculator →The math
- Volume: 4 × 8 × (8 ÷ 12) = 21.3 cu ft.
- Cubic yards: 21.3 ÷ 27 = 0.79 yd³.
- Bags: 21.3 ÷ 2 = 11 bags (2 cu ft), or ÷ 1.5 = 15 bags (1.5 cu ft).
The topsoil calculator handles any bed size.
Related: Soil for a 4x8 Raised Bed 12 Inches Deep
Soil for a 4x8 bed at other depths
| Depth | Cubic feet | Cubic yards | 2 cu ft bags |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 in | 16.0 | 0.59 | 8 |
| 8 in | 21.3 | 0.79 | 11 |
| 10 in | 26.7 | 0.99 | 14 |
| 12 in | 32.0 | 1.19 | 16 |
| 18 in | 48.0 | 1.78 | 24 |
| 24 in | 64.0 | 2.37 | 32 |
Bags or bulk?
Bulk soil is usually cheaper per cubic yard than bags once you pass roughly 1 yard. At 0.79 yards, bags are simpler. Fill several beds at once to make a delivery worthwhile.
Related: Soil for a 4x8 Raised Bed 10 Inches Deep
A good raised bed mix
Many gardeners blend topsoil with compost, around 50 to 60 percent topsoil. The compost adds nutrients and keeps the mix loose. Bagged potting soil alone is light and can dry out fast in a deep bed.
Settling
New soil settles, often by 10 to 20 percent in the first season. Overfill slightly or plan to top up with compost next spring. Tall beds can be partly filled with logs or branches at the bottom to save soil (a hugelkultur approach).
Weight and hauling
A cubic yard of soil can weigh a ton or more, and mulch roughly a quarter to half of that depending on moisture. Check your vehicle’s payload before hauling, and keep trailer loads within the rated capacity.
Delivery and spreading
Ask the supplier where the truck can safely dump without crossing soft lawn or septic fields. Cover the pile if rain is coming. Spread with a flat shovel and a landscape rake, working from the far end back toward the pile.
Questions people ask
How many bags of soil for a 4x8 raised bed?
About 11 bags of 2 cubic feet at 8 inches deep.
How many cubic feet in a 4x8x8 inch bed?
21.3 cubic feet.
How many yards of soil for a 4x8 raised bed?
About 0.79 cubic yards at 8 inches deep.
What soil mix is best for raised beds?
Topsoil blended with compost, roughly 60/40, is a common starting point.
Will raised bed soil settle?
Yes, often 10 to 20 percent in the first season.
Related guides
- How Much Does a Yard of Topsoil Cover?
- How Many Bags of Topsoil in a Yard? Size Chart
- Fill Dirt vs Topsoil: Differences, Uses and Tons to Order
- How Much Does a Yard of Dirt Weigh? Topsoil, Fill, Clay
- Soil for a 4x6 Raised Bed 12 Inches Deep
- Soil for a 4x8 Raised Bed 6 Inches Deep
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