Raised Bed Layout Calculator: How Many Beds Fit in Your Garden?
Planning a raised bed layout is mostly a space puzzle: how many beds fit, how wide the paths should be, and which way the beds should run. Enter the size of your garden space and the bed size you’re considering, and the calculator shows how many beds fit, the total growing area and a scaled diagram.
Raised bed layout calculator
Enter your garden space and bed size to see how many raised beds fit, with paths between them.
- Layout-
- Total growing area-
- Space used by beds-
Paths of 60 cm or more let you reach every bed and fit a wheelbarrow or mower.
How to plan a raised bed layout
Start with the space you have, then work backwards. Measure the length and width of the area, leave a clear margin around the edge for access, and decide on a path width before you choose a bed size. The calculator tries the beds both lengthwise and crosswise and shows whichever fits more.
A few rules of thumb help when you’re choosing sizes:
- Bed width: a bed you can reach across from both sides is easier to work. Many gardeners keep beds to around 1.2 m wide or less, but choose what suits your own reach.
- Path width: about 60 cm is enough to walk and kneel between beds. If you want to push a wheelbarrow through, allow more.
- Edge clearance: leave room to get around the outside beds, especially if there’s a fence or wall.
Raised vegetable garden layout: choosing a bed size
Several smaller beds give you more paths and easier access, while fewer larger beds give you more growing area for the same space. Use the calculator to compare a couple of sizes and look at the “space used by beds” figure. Once you’ve settled on a layout, the raised bed cost calculator works out what the setup will cost.
Raised bed layout on a slope or against a fence
On a slope, each bed still needs to sit level, so you may need to dig out or build up the ground under it. Allow extra path width where the ground drops away.
Against a fence or wall, leave enough space to reach the back of the bed. In Australia the sun tracks through the north, so a tall fence on the north side of a bed will shade it, while a fence on the south side usually won’t.
What to do next
Once you know how many beds fit, you can browse our metal raised garden beds (CHECK this link) in a range of sizes. To work out how much soil to fill them with, try the garden bed soil calculator (CHECK this link), and see what to sow with our What to Plant Now planner (CHECK this link). More tools are on our garden calculators page (CHECK this link).
Raised bed layout FAQs
How wide should the paths between raised beds be?
About 60 cm is a good minimum for walking and kneeling. Allow 90 cm or more if you want to use a wheelbarrow or wheelchair between the beds.
Does it matter which way the beds run?
It can. Running beds lengthwise along your longest side often fits more beds, and the calculator checks both directions for you. Sun and shade from fences, trees and buildings should also influence your choice.
Can I use any bed size in the calculator?
Yes. Pick one of the common sizes or enter your own length and width in metres.
Is a bed layout the same as a planting layout?
No. This calculator plans where the beds go. What you grow in each bed and how far apart you plant is a separate question, and our planting calendar can help with timing.