Size your garden bed sides in minutes accurately. Choose board length, layers, and waste rate. Get counts, costs, and downloads for every project now.
| Bed size | Bed height | Board size | Beds | Waste | Boards to buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 ft × 4 ft | 1 ft | 0.5 ft × 8 ft | 1 | 10% | 6 |
| 10 ft × 4 ft | 1.5 ft | 0.5 ft × 10 ft | 2 | 12% | 24 |
| 2.4 m × 1.2 m | 0.45 m | 0.15 m × 2.4 m | 1 | 8% | 8 |
Examples are illustrative. Your results depend on board length and layering.
This tool treats each bed as a rectangle with layered side boards. It estimates how many full-length boards you must purchase.
layers = ceil(bed_height ÷ board_height)2×ceil(bed_length ÷ board_length) + 2×ceil(bed_width ÷ board_length)
boards_raw = boards_per_layer × layers × beds
boards_to_buy = ceil(boards_raw × (1 + waste%))
Accurate board counts start with clear bed dimensions and a consistent unit system. Measure inside or outside edges the same way for length and width. The calculator treats each side as straight runs and rounds up boards using store lengths. This prevents underbuying when cuts create offcuts. When beds are long, choose longer boards to reduce joints and improve rigidity over many seasons and reduce splitting.
Bed height is built in layers. The tool divides desired wall height by board face height and rounds up to a full layer. This mirrors real construction where partial layers still require a complete course. Taller beds increase soil volume, moisture buffering, and root depth, but also raise material needs. If you add a top cap or rail, include that as extra boards outside the count.
Waste allowance is essential for gardening lumber. Knots, warping, and trimming for square corners reduce usable length. A 8–12% buffer works for simple cuts, while 15% suits complex layouts or uneven terrain. The calculator applies waste after multiplying for layers and bed quantity, so scaling remains realistic. Use higher waste when you plan to notch boards around posts or install miters for curved beds, tight spaces.
Corner posts can dramatically strengthen raised beds, especially with wet soil pressure. Selecting posts adds four per bed and totals their combined length. Match post length to bed height plus embedment or anchoring method. Posts also simplify fastening, keep corners square, and slow spreading. If you skip posts, consider metal angles, stakes, or interior bracing and reflect those costs in extras for long sides over ten.
Cost fields turn a takeoff into a budget. Enter per‑board and per‑post prices plus a lump sum for screws, brackets, liners, or sealants. The calculator provides itemized totals and an overall estimate for purchasing. After calculating, download CSV for shopping and PDF for project files. Update prices whenever suppliers change, and record lumber type to keep bids, maintenance plans, and replacements reliable across multiple garden builds.
It rounds up each side using the selected store board length, then multiplies by layers and beds. This conservative approach helps avoid shortages when offcuts cannot be reused efficiently.
Enter the visible face height of one board in your chosen units. For example, a 1×6 has an actual face near 5.5 inches, which is about 0.46 ft.
Some beds use metal angles or stakes instead of wood posts. If you select posts, the tool adds four per bed and includes post length and cost in the estimate.
Use 8–12% for simple square beds and straight cuts. Increase to 15% or more for miters, notches, uneven ground, or when boards are prone to warping.
No. The count covers wall layers only. If you plan a cap, add its boards as an extra layer or increase the final board total manually.
Yes. After a calculation, download CSV for a shopping list and PDF for project files. The exports include inputs and computed results for easy reference.
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.