Fidamen

Soil Volume Calculator

This calculator estimates the volume and approximate weight of soil, topsoil, mulch, or compost for landscape projects. Enter the length, width and depth in your chosen unit, and the tool converts to common construction and retail quantities: cubic feet, cubic yards, cubic meters, estimated short tons, and number of 40 lb bags.

Results use a user-supplied bulk density (lb/ft³) to estimate weight. Typical bulk density values vary with material and moisture—use local extension guidance or supplier specifications where possible. For planning, allow overage to cover compaction and settling.

Updated Nov 26, 2025QA PASS — golden 25 / edge 120Run golden-edge-2026-01-23

Governance

Record 0240cb456898 • Reviewed by Fidamen Standards Committee

Inputs

Results

Updates as you type

Volume (cubic feet)

25

Volume (cubic yards)

0.9259

Volume (cubic meters)

0.7079

Estimated weight (short tons)

0.9375

Estimated number of 40 lb bags

47

OutputValueUnit
Volume (cubic feet)25cu ft
Volume (cubic yards)0.9259cu yd
Volume (cubic meters)0.7079m3
Estimated weight (short tons)0.9375short tons
Estimated number of 40 lb bags47bags (40 lb)
Primary result25

Visualization

Methodology

Dimensions are converted to cubic feet first. The select control provides a conversion factor from the entered unit to feet (1 ft = 1, 1 m = 3.28084 ft, 1 in = 1/12 ft, 1 cm = 0.0328084 ft). Volume in cubic feet = length × width × depth × (unit factor)^3.

Cubic yards = cubic feet ÷ 27. Cubic meters = cubic feet × 0.028316846592. Weight in pounds = cubic feet × bulk density (lb/ft³). Short tons = weight (lb) ÷ 2000. Number of 40 lb bags = weight (lb) ÷ 40.

Bulk density varies by material and moisture. Use a measured value when accuracy matters. University extension services and USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service provide typical ranges for mineral soils, composts and mulches.

F.A.Q.

What should I enter for depth — packed or loose?

Enter the depth of the material after installation (finished depth). If you order loose material that compacts after spreading, increase your order to allow for compaction. A common rule of thumb is 10–20% extra for lightly compacting materials; use measured compaction factors for greater accuracy.

How do I pick bulk density?

Bulk density depends on material and moisture. Typical topsoil ranges 70–100 lb/ft³, composts 20–45 lb/ft³, and mulches 10–30 lb/ft³. For construction purchases, use supplier data or local extension guidance. When in doubt, use a conservative (higher) bulk density for weight estimates.

Should I round up the calculator result when ordering?

Yes. Suppliers and delivery loads have minimum increments (cubic yards or full truckloads). Also add 5–20% overage to account for compaction, uneven spreading, and measurement error—higher overage for deeper fills or heavier compaction.

Does the calculator account for settling or compaction?

Not automatically. The calculator gives as-built volume and an estimated weight from bulk density. Apply an additional factor (user judgment or project-specific measurement) to account for settling and compaction before ordering.

How accurate are the unit conversions and formulas?

Linear conversion factors and the volume formulas follow SI and industry-standard relationships (for example, 1 cubic foot = 0.028316846592 cubic meters and 1 cubic yard = 27 cubic feet). For authoritative unit definitions see NIST guidance and for soil property ranges see USDA/NRCS and university extension resources.

Sources & citations

Further resources

Versioning & Change Control

Audit record (versions, QA runs, reviewer sign-off, and evidence).

Record ID: 0240cb456898

What changed (latest)

v1.0.0 • 2025-11-26 • MINOR

Initial publication and governance baseline.

Why: Published with reviewed formulas, unit definitions, and UX controls.

Public QA status

PASS — golden 25 + edge 120

Last run: 2026-01-23 • Run: golden-edge-2026-01-23

Engine

v1.0.0

Data

Baseline (no external datasets)

Content

v1.0.0

UI

v1.0.0

Governance

Last updated: Nov 26, 2025

Reviewed by: Fidamen Standards Committee (Review board)

Credentials: Internal QA

Risk level: low

Reviewer profile (entity)

Fidamen Standards Committee

Review board

Internal QA

Entity ID: https://fidamen.com/reviewers/fidamen-standards-committee#person

Semantic versioning

  • MAJOR: Calculation outputs can change for the same inputs (formula, rounding policy, assumptions).
  • MINOR: New features or fields that do not change existing outputs for the same inputs.
  • PATCH: Bug fixes, copy edits, or accessibility changes that do not change intended outputs except for previously incorrect cases.

Review protocol

  • Verify formulas and unit definitions against primary standards or datasets.
  • Run golden-case regression suite and edge-case suite.
  • Record reviewer sign-off with credentials and scope.
  • Document assumptions, limitations, and jurisdiction applicability.

Assumptions & limitations

  • Uses exact unit definitions from the Fidamen conversion library.
  • Internal calculations use double precision; display rounding follows the unit's configured decimal places.
  • Not a substitute for calibrated instruments in regulated contexts.
  • Jurisdiction-specific rules may require official guidance.

Change log

v1.0.0 • 2025-11-26 • MINOR

Initial publication and governance baseline.

Why: Published with reviewed formulas, unit definitions, and UX controls.

Areas: engine, content, ui • Reviewer: Fidamen Standards Committee • Entry ID: 5491e1d16ffa