Garden Measurement Calculator
Your complete gardening measurement toolkit. Convert between imperial and metric units, calculate garden bed areas, and estimate soil volumes for your landscaping projects.
Length Conversion
Garden Bed Area Calculator
Soil & Mulch Volume Calculator
Garden Measurement Conversions
Common Garden Measurement Conversions
| Imperial | Metric | Common Garden Use |
|---|---|---|
| 1 inch | 2.54 cm | Seed depth, plant spacing |
| 1 foot | 30.48 cm | Raised bed dimensions |
| 1 yard | 0.914 m | Row spacing, bed width |
| 1 square foot | 0.093 sq m (929 sq cm) | Square foot gardening |
| 1 square yard | 0.836 sq m | Lawn coverage, sod |
| 1 cubic yard | 0.765 cu m | Soil, mulch, compost orders |
| 1 acre | 4,047 sq m (0.4 hectare) | Large garden/farm planning |
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Soil & Mulch Coverage Guide
Soil & Mulch Coverage Guide
| Depth | 1 Cubic Yard Covers | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| 1 inch (2.5 cm) | 324 sq ft (30 sq m) | Top dressing lawns |
| 2 inches (5 cm) | 162 sq ft (15 sq m) | Light mulch layer |
| 3 inches (7.5 cm) | 108 sq ft (10 sq m) | Standard mulch depth |
| 4 inches (10 cm) | 81 sq ft (7.5 sq m) | Deep mulch, weed suppression |
| 6 inches (15 cm) | 54 sq ft (5 sq m) | Raised bed fill (partial) |
| 12 inches (30 cm) | 27 sq ft (2.5 sq m) | Full raised bed depth |
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How to Use the Garden Measurement Calculator
Length Conversion
Convert between inches, feet, yards, centimeters, and meters. Perfect for understanding plant spacing requirements from international gardening guides or converting raised bed plans.
Area Calculator
Calculate your garden bed area in multiple units. Essential for determining how many plants fit, calculating fertilizer amounts, and planning square foot gardens.
Volume Calculator
Determine exactly how much soil, mulch, or compost you need. Results include cubic yards - the standard measurement for bulk material purchases at garden centers.
Why Accurate Garden Measurements Matter
Precise measurements are the foundation of successful gardening. Whether you're building a raised bed, ordering bulk soil, or following international planting guides, accurate conversions ensure your garden thrives and you don't waste money on excess materials.
Common Gardening Scenarios
- Building Raised Beds: A standard 4×8 foot raised bed equals 32 square feet. At 12 inches deep, you'll need approximately 1.2 cubic yards of soil mix.
- Mulching Flower Beds: For a 3-inch mulch layer, one cubic yard covers about 108 square feet. A 10×10 foot bed needs roughly 1 cubic yard.
- Square Foot Gardening: Each square in a 4×4 grid is exactly 1 square foot (144 square inches or 929 square centimeters).
- International Seed Packets: European seeds often list spacing in centimeters. Our converter helps you translate "plant 15cm apart" to "plant 6 inches apart.'
Gardening Pro Tips
- Order 10-15% extra bulk materials to account for settling and spillage
- Standard raised bed depth is 6-12 inches (15-30 cm) for most vegetables
- Mulch depth should be 2-4 inches (5-10 cm) for weed suppression
- Never mulch against tree trunks - keep a 3-inch gap to prevent rot
- One cubic yard of compost weighs approximately 1,000-1,600 lbs depending on moisture
Understanding Garden Measurement Units
Imperial vs. Metric in Gardening
Gardening resources from different countries use different measurement systems. American gardening guides typically use feet, inches, and yards, while European and international resources use meters and centimeters. This can create confusion when following tutorials, purchasing seeds from international suppliers, or using gardening tools designed for different markets.
Square Foot Gardening
The square foot gardening method, popularized by Mel Bartholomew, uses a grid system where each square is exactly 1 foot × 1 foot (30.48 cm × 30.48 cm). Understanding these measurements helps you maximize yield in small spaces by planting the correct number of seeds or seedlings per square based on plant size.
Ordering Bulk Materials
When ordering soil, mulch, compost, or gravel from garden centers, materials are typically sold by the cubic yard in the United States or cubic meter in metric countries. One cubic yard equals 27 cubic feet or approximately 0.765 cubic meters. Knowing exactly how much you need prevents both shortages and expensive over-ordering.
Raised Bed Calculations
Popular raised bed sizes include 4×4 feet (1.2×1.2 m) for small gardens and 4×8 feet (1.2×2.4 m) for larger spaces. The 4-foot width allows you to reach the center from either side without stepping on the soil. When calculating soil needs, remember that soil will settle by about 10-20% over time.