Compost Calculator

Calculate compost bin capacity, material ratios, and estimated composting time. Optimize your composting process with our free calculator.

Calculate Your Compost

Measurement System:

Bin Dimensions

Material Ratio (Optional)

Kitchen scraps, grass clippings, fresh leaves

Dry leaves, straw, paper, cardboard

Pricing Options (Optional)

Your Results

Enter your bin dimensions to calculate:

  • Total bin volume and capacity
  • Material ratios for optimal composting
  • Estimated composting time
  • Processing capacity

How to Use the Compost Calculator

Our compost calculator helps you determine the perfect bin size and material ratios for efficient composting. Enter your bin dimensions to find its capacity, or use the ratio calculator to optimize your composting mix.

Optimal Composting Ratios

  • Green Materials (Nitrogen): Kitchen scraps, fresh grass clippings, coffee grounds
  • Brown Materials (Carbon): Dry leaves, straw, paper, sawdust
  • Ideal Ratio: 3 parts brown to 1 part green (3:1)
  • Moisture: Should feel like a wrung-out sponge

Common Bin Sizes

  • Small: 3×3×3 ft (0.9×0.9×0.9 m) = 27 ft³ (0.76 m³)
  • Medium: 4×4×3 ft (1.2×1.2×0.9 m) = 48 ft³ (1.36 m³)
  • Large: 4×4×4 ft (1.2×1.2×1.2 m) = 64 ft³ (1.81 m³)

Composting Tips

  • Turn your compost weekly for faster decomposition
  • Chop materials into smaller pieces to speed up the process
  • Keep compost moist but not waterlogged
  • Add both green and brown materials regularly
  • Monitor temperature - active compost should be warm

What to Compost

Do Compost

  • Fruit and vegetable scraps
  • Coffee grounds and filters
  • Eggshells
  • Grass clippings
  • Leaves
  • Shredded paper

Don't Compost

  • Meat or fish
  • Dairy products
  • Pet waste
  • Diseased plants
  • Weeds with seeds
  • Treated wood

Volume Conversions

  • 1 cubic foot = 28.3 liters = 7.48 gallons
  • 1 cubic yard = 27 cubic feet = 765 liters
  • 1 cubic meter = 35.3 cubic feet = 1000 liters

Compost Bag Sizes

  • Imperial: 20, 30, 40, and 50 cubic feet bags
  • Metric: 500L, 750L, 1000L, and 1500L bags

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