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Container Soil Volume Calculator

Choose a container shape and enter its dimensions to find the soil volume.

How it is calculated

Choose a shape, enter the dimensions in centimetres and the number of containers. A round pot uses V = π × (diameter ÷ 2)² × height; a rectangular planter uses V = length × width × height. The volume in cm³ is divided by 1000 for litres per container, multiplied by the count for the total, and the total is converted with cubic feet = litres × 0.0353147. Three results are shown: total soil, soil per container, and the total in cubic feet (three decimals). Every size must be above zero. If the number of containers is empty, zero or negative, the tool silently uses 1. Any shape other than round is treated as rectangular. Use the inner size and the depth you will actually fill, since potting mix is rarely filled to the rim.

Worked example

You plan four window boxes, each 80 cm long, 30 cm wide and filled to 25 cm. One box holds 80 × 30 × 25 = 60,000 cm³, which is 60.00 L per container. For four boxes the total is 4 × 60 = 240.00 L. In cubic feet, 240 × 0.0353147 = 8.476 cu ft. With 50-litre bags you would need five bags, since four bags give only 200 L. Choosing the round shape with a 30 cm diameter and 25 cm height instead gives 17.67 L per pot.

Try this example →

Common mistakes

  • Leaving the shape on round while typing length and width; the round shape ignores those fields and needs a diameter, so the result is empty or wrong.
  • Entering the dimensions in inches or metres; all fields are in centimetres.
  • Forgetting the number of containers: when it is empty the tool uses 1, so the total shows the soil for a single container.
  • Using the outer size of a planter with thick walls rather than the inner size, which overstates the soil.
  • Reading the cubic feet figure as per container; it is the total for all containers, while the per-container litres are listed separately.

About this calculator

For a round pot, soil volume is V = π × r² × h using the container's inner radius and fill height; for a rectangular planter it's simply V = length × width × height. The calculator converts the result into liters and cubic feet, the two units bagged potting soil is typically sold in.

Gardeners, landscapers, and nursery growers use this before buying soil for pots, raised beds, or planter boxes, so they can compare the container's volume against bag sizes and buy close to the right amount rather than guessing and ending up with several bags left over or a short trip back to the store.

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Comments (1)

  • Editorial team

    The volume assumes straight sides, so a tapered pot will be overestimated if you enter its top diameter. Measure across the middle for a closer figure, and use the soil depth you will actually fill to, which sits a bit below the rim. Fresh potting mix also settles after the first watering, so some gardeners buy a little extra. What kind of container are you filling, and does the estimate match your bags?

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