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.
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 × D³
Beads = volume × fill level
Weight ≈ 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.