Bean bags are filled with expanded polystyrene (EPS) beads, which are very light – around 15–25 kg per cubic metre – and sold by volume, usually in 100 or 300 litre bags. Fill to about 70–80% so the bag shapes around you; beads compress over time, so top up every year or two.
How to use the Bean Bag Filling Calculator
- Bean bag shape
- Length (or diameter)
- Width
- Height
- Fill level
- Bag of beads
Results update as you type, and every field accepts the units shown in its menu.
How it works
Choose the shape, enter its dimensions, the fill level and the size of the bags you will buy.
Tips
- Use the figures from your own bills and product labels – prices and appliance ratings vary widely.
- Look at yearly totals: small daily costs add up and make it easier to compare options.
- Round quantities up to whole packs, rolls or bulbs when you shop.
- Re-check the numbers when prices change; most results scale directly with the unit price.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Confusing watts (power) with watt-hours or kilowatt-hours (energy).
- Comparing prices without bringing them to the same unit first.
- Ignoring one-off costs such as installation, delivery or replacement parts.
Inputs explained
| Field | What to enter |
|---|---|
| Bean bag shape | Choose one: Cube / box, Cylinder, Round / sphere |
| Length (or diameter) | Units: m, ft, cm, in |
| Width | Units: m, ft, cm, in |
| Height | Units: m, ft, cm, in |
| Fill level | In % |
| Bag of beads | Choose one: 100 L, 150 L, 300 L, 5 ft³ |
What each result means
- Beads needed = [Bean bag volume]×[Fill level]÷100
- Weight of beads = [Beads needed]×20
- Bags to buy = ceil([Beads needed]÷[Bag of beads] – 0.000001)
Example values
How the main result changes when Length changes and everything else stays at the example values above:
| Length (or diameter) (m) | Beads needed (L) |
|---|---|
| 0.4 | 179 |
| 0.6 | 269 |
| 0.8 | 358 |
| 1 | 448 |
| 1.2 | 538 |
| 1.6 | 717 |
Formula
Volume: cube L × W × H; cylinder π/4 × D² × H; sphere π/6 × D³Beads = volume × fill levelWeight ≈ beads × 20 kg/m³ (EPS beads)Worked example
Inputs — Bean bag shape: Cube / box; Length (or diameter): 0.8 m; Width: 0.8 m; Height: 0.7 m; Fill level: 80 %; Bag of beads: 100 L.
Results — Bean bag volume = 448 L; Beads needed = 358 L; Weight of beads = 7.17 kg; Bags to buy = 4.
Frequently asked questions
How many beads for a bean bag?
A typical adult bean bag holds 300–400 L of beads; a child's about 150–200 L.
How full should a bean bag be?
About 70–80% so it moulds to your body.
Can I use other fillings?
Shredded foam is heavier but doesn't flatten as quickly; recycled beads are an eco-friendlier option.
What formula does the Bean Bag Filling Calculator use?
Volume: cube L × W × H; cylinder π/4 × D² × H; sphere π/6 × D³.