Formula
Cubic yards = cubic feet ÷ 27. Cost = cubic yards × price per yard. Example: 32 cubic feet = 1.19 yards × $50 = about $59, before delivery. Use the soil volume calculator first if you do not know your volume.
How to use it, step by step
Enter the soil volume in cubic feet — use the soil volume calculator if you do not know it yet — and the price per cubic yard from your supplier. The calculator converts to cubic yards and multiplies by price. Then add delivery separately, because delivery is often a flat charge that can exceed the soil cost for small loads. Compare suppliers on the delivered total, not the per-yard price alone.
Worked example in detail
A bed needing 32 cubic feet is 1.19 cubic yards. At $50 per yard, soil costs about $59. If delivery is $40, the delivered total is $99. A second supplier at $60 per yard with free delivery would cost $71 — cheaper overall, despite the higher per-yard price. Always ask for the delivered price before ordering.
What affects soil cost
Soil type, screening, compost content, delivery distance, minimum order and access all affect price. Screened topsoil costs more than fill dirt, and a soil-compost mix costs more than plain topsoil. Some suppliers charge extra if the truck cannot tip close to the bed and the soil must be wheelbarrowed. Ordering with a neighbour and splitting a load can cut delivery cost per household.
Frequently asked questions
Is bagged soil cheaper than bulk?
Per cubic foot, almost never, once you pass a few bags. Bags are convenient for small jobs and for soil that must be carried through a house or up stairs, where bulk delivery is impossible.
Should I buy soil or a soil-compost mix?
A mix is usually better for a new raised bed, because it combines structure and nutrients. Plain topsoil may need compost added anyway, which costs time and money on top of the soil.
How much extra should I order?
About 10% for settling and spillage. It is cheaper to order a little extra than to pay a second delivery charge for a top-up.