Plan raised beds with confidence using flexible shape options. Convert units, include waste, and estimate costs. Clear outputs help crews measure faster on site.
| Bed type | Inputs | Area result | Depth | Volume estimate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rectangle | 8 ft × 4 ft | 32 ft² | 0.5 ft | 16 ft³ (before waste) |
| Circle | Diameter 6 ft | 28.27 ft² | 0.33 ft | 9.33 ft³ (before waste) |
| Polygon | 0,0; 8,0; 8,3; 2,3; 2,6; 0,6 (ft) | 36 ft² | 0.5 ft | 18 ft³ (before waste) |
Waste factor is applied as: Adjusted = Base × (1 + waste/100). Volume uses: Volume = Adjusted area × depth.
Garden beds look simple, but takeoffs rarely are. Accurate plan area controls how much fabric, soil, compost, mulch, and edging you order. A 10% error on a 120 ft² layout adds 12 ft² of waste and extra hauling. Measure carefully, then apply a realistic overage for cuts and settling.
Common raised-bed footprints include 4×8 ft (32 ft²), 4×12 ft (48 ft²), and 3×6 ft (18 ft²). For circles, a 6 ft diameter is about 28.27 ft² and an 8 ft diameter is about 50.27 ft². Benchmarks help catch bad measurements before ordering.
Depth converts area into cubic measure. Example: 32 ft² at 0.5 ft depth needs 16 ft³ before overage. Many suppliers quote by cubic yard: 1 yd³ equals 27 ft³. That bed is about 0.59 yd³, and with 10% overage it becomes roughly 0.65 yd³.
Waste depends on shape complexity and material behavior. Straight rectangles may need 3–7% extra for trimming and compaction. Curves, polygons, and multiple beds often justify 7–12%. Loose fills can settle 5–15% after watering. Using the waste input creates a clear, defendable buffer.
Perimeter matters for borders, pavers, timbers, or steel edging. A single 4×8 ft bed has a 24 ft perimeter. Ten identical beds need 240 ft, plus splices and corners. For triangles and trapezoids, add side lengths to compute perimeter; base and height still give area.
Many beds follow property lines or hardscape curves. The polygon option uses ordered corner points to compute area with the shoelace method and sums edge lengths for perimeter. Record points around the boundary from a consistent reference and keep the order clockwise or counterclockwise.
Vendors price by ft², yd², yd³, or m³ depending on region. The calculator converts results so you can match invoice units. If mulch is 45 per yd³ and you need 2.8 yd³, the material subtotal is 126. Add delivery, labor, and disposal as separate line items.
After calculation, export CSV for spreadsheets and PDF for job folders. Store the shape, units, bed count, overage, and depth so the takeoff is auditable. Add a date, crew name, and lot reference for traceability. Consistent reporting reduces change orders and keeps purchasing aligned with the approved plan.
Use 3–7% for straight rectangles and clean cuts. Use 7–12% for curved or irregular beds, multiple beds, or uncertain measurements. Increase if material settles significantly after watering.
Area supports fabric, liners, and surface finishes. Volume supports soil, compost, mulch, or gravel ordering. Add depth to convert area into a practical delivery quantity.
Enter points as x,y pairs separated by semicolons. Keep points in order around the boundary and do not repeat the first point at the end. Use one consistent unit for all points.
Some shapes need side lengths to find perimeter. For triangles and trapezoids, base and height are enough for area, but edging needs the remaining sides. Enter optional side values to enable perimeter totals.
Yes. When depth is provided, the calculator outputs soil volume in m³, yd³, ft³, and liters. Use yd³ for most bulk landscape deliveries and compare with your supplier’s truck capacity.
Measure the outer rectangle first, then measure the corner cutout rectangle. The area is outer minus cutout. Keep all measurements in the same unit and confirm the cutout does not exceed the outer size.
The exports contain only the inputs you typed and the computed results. They do not include personal identifiers unless you enter them as values. Use the files to attach takeoffs to work orders.
Important Note: All the Calculators listed in this site are for educational purpose only and we do not guarentee the accuracy of results. Please do consult with other sources as well.