Topsoil Calculator
How much topsoil do I need? Enter your area and depth below and this free topsoil calculator instantly tells you the cubic yards, cubic feet, bags, and tons to order — for lawns, garden beds, raised beds, and topdressing — plus a bulk-vs-bag cost comparison so you never overpay.
Calculate your topsoil
Most gardeners leave 1–2 in of frame above the soil so water and mulch stay in.
Deep beds are often filled partway with branches, leaves, or cardboard (hugelkultur core) and only the top layer with soil. Lower this if you use filler.
Know your square footage from a seed or sod bag? Enter it directly instead of measuring.
| Area | – |
|---|---|
| Soil depth | – |
| Volume (exact) | – |
| Volume (+ allowance) | – |
| Weight | – |
| Bags needed | – |
| Bulk cost estimate | – |
| Bag cost estimate | – |
Estimate only. Actual weight varies with moisture — wet soil can weigh 20–30% more. Confirm density and pricing with your supplier.
How the topsoil calculator works
Every topsoil estimate comes down to one formula: volume = area × depth. When you enter feet and inches, the shortcut is:
cubic yards = (length in ft × width in ft × depth in inches) ÷ 324
The 324 comes from 27 cubic feet per cubic yard × 12 inches per foot. For a circle the area is π × radius²; for a triangle it is base × height ÷ 2. The calculator then adds your settling allowance (default 10%), converts the order volume to cubic feet, cubic meters, tons, and pounds using the material density, divides by your bag size and rounds up for the bag count, and prices both the bulk and bagged options so you can compare.
How deep should topsoil be?
Depth is the biggest driver of how much topsoil you need, so decide it before you order. Use this table or the presets in the calculator:
| Project | Recommended depth | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Lawn topdressing / overseeding | 0.25–1 in (6–25 mm) | Thin layer; seed needs soil contact |
| New lawn from seed or sod | 4–6 in (10–15 cm) | Deep roots resist drought and heat |
| Flower bed / border | 6–12 in (15–30 cm) | Go deeper over clay or compacted subsoil |
| Vegetable garden | 8–12 in (20–30 cm) | Root vegetables want 12–18 in |
| Raised bed | Frame height − 2 in lip | Typically 8–12 in of soil |
| Leveling low spots | 1–2 in per application | Multiple thin lifts settle more evenly |
The most common mistake is going too shallow: a thin layer over hard ground looks fine for weeks, then roots hit the barrier and plants struggle in summer heat.
Topsoil coverage: how far one cubic yard goes
One cubic yard equals 27 cubic feet. Here is how much area a single cubic yard of topsoil covers at common depths:
| Depth | 1 cubic yard covers |
|---|---|
| 1 in | 324 sq ft |
| 2 in | 162 sq ft |
| 3 in | 108 sq ft |
| 4 in | 81 sq ft |
| 6 in | 54 sq ft |
| 12 in | 27 sq ft |
Quick reference: cubic yards by area and depth
Pre-calculated volumes (before the settling allowance) for common project sizes:
| Area | 2 in deep | 4 in deep | 6 in deep | 12 in deep |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 sq ft (10×10) | 0.62 yd³ | 1.23 yd³ | 1.85 yd³ | 3.70 yd³ |
| 200 sq ft (10×20) | 1.23 yd³ | 2.47 yd³ | 3.70 yd³ | 7.41 yd³ |
| 500 sq ft | 3.09 yd³ | 6.17 yd³ | 9.26 yd³ | 18.52 yd³ |
| 1,000 sq ft | 6.17 yd³ | 12.35 yd³ | 18.52 yd³ | 37.04 yd³ |
| 2,000 sq ft | 12.35 yd³ | 24.69 yd³ | 37.04 yd³ | 74.07 yd³ |
Topsoil types and weights
Suppliers sell several materials that all get called "dirt". Picking the right one matters because weight — and therefore delivery cost and what you can haul — varies a lot:
| Material | Typical weight per yd³ | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Screened topsoil | ~2,000 lb (1.0 ton) | Lawns, garden beds, topdressing |
| 50/50 topsoil–compost blend | ~1,600 lb (0.8 ton) | New beds, lawn renovation |
| Compost | ~1,200 lb (0.6 ton) | Amending clay, topdressing beds |
| Fill dirt | ~2,400 lb (1.2 ton) | Raising grade, filling holes — not for planting |
These are dry-weight averages; wet soil can weigh 20–30% more. If your supplier quotes a density, choose "Custom density" in the calculator and enter their number. A standard half-ton pickup safely carries about half a cubic yard, so plan delivery for anything larger.
Bags vs. bulk: which is cheaper?
Bagged topsoil from a garden center is convenient for tiny jobs — no delivery to schedule, no pile in the driveway. But per cubic yard it costs roughly $200–$400, several times the bulk price. The break-even is around 1 cubic yard: below half a yard buy bags; above one yard, call a landscape supply yard.
A concrete example: 2.04 cubic yards (a 10×10 ft area at 6 in, plus 10% settling) as bulk at $45/yard with a $60 delivery fee costs about $151.80. The same volume needs 74 forty-pound bags at $4 each — $296, nearly double. The calculator above runs this comparison automatically with your prices.
Topsoil cost per cubic yard (2026)
National averages for 2026: screened topsoil runs $25–$55 per cubic yard for material; unscreened is cheaper at $15–$30. Delivery adds a $50–$150 flat fee per trip, so a delivered yard typically lands between $60 and $110 all-in. A full tri-axle dump truck holds 10–12 cubic yards. Prices vary by region and season — always confirm the total delivered price with local suppliers before ordering.
Worked examples
Example 1 — New lawn, 20×30 ft at 4 inches
Volume = (20 × 30 × 4) ÷ 324 = 7.41 cubic yards. Add 10% for settling → order 8.15 cubic yards, about 8.15 tons of screened topsoil. At $45/yard plus a $75 delivery fee, the bulk estimate is 8.15 × 45 + 75 = $441.67. In 1.5 ft³ bags that would be 147 bags — bulk wins by a wide margin.
Example 2 — Raised bed, 4×8 ft frame 12 in tall
Leave a 2-inch lip, so the soil depth is effectively 10 inches: (4 × 8 × 10) ÷ 324 = 0.99 cubic yards (26.67 ft³). That is 18 bags of 1.5 ft³ soil — 20 bags with the 10% settling allowance. Filled with a 50/50 blend at 1,600 lb/yard, the order weighs about 0.87 tons.
Example 3 — Metric: 3 m × 2 m bed at 15 cm
Volume = 3 × 2 × 0.15 = 0.9 m³ = 1.18 cubic yards. At a typical 1,200 kg/m³ density that is about 1.08 tonnes of topsoil.
Tips before you order
- Measure twice. Length × width in feet, depth in inches. For irregular beds, break the shape into rectangles and triangles and add the results — or run each section through the calculator.
- Check what is underneath. Topsoil over compacted clay or old patio base needs the full recommended depth; loosen the subgrade 4–6 inches first so water drains.
- Ask if it is screened. Screened topsoil is free of large stones, roots, and debris and spreads evenly. Unscreened is cheaper but you will pick out rocks by hand.
- Look and smell. Good topsoil is dark brown, crumbly, and earthy-smelling — not gray, not sour, not full of plastic or glass.
- Time the delivery. Bulk soil arrives as a pile on your driveway. Have a wheelbarrow and rake ready, and a tarp if rain is coming.
- Consider a soil test. A basic test reports pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, telling you whether straight topsoil is enough or you need compost or amendments mixed in.
Topsoil calculator FAQ
How do I calculate how much topsoil I need?
Multiply length × width × depth, keeping the units consistent, then convert to cubic yards. With feet and inches the shortcut is (length in feet × width in feet × depth in inches) ÷ 324. Example: a 10×10 ft area at 6 inches deep needs (10 × 10 × 6) ÷ 324 = 1.85 cubic yards. Add 10% for settling and uneven ground, so order about 2.04 cubic yards.
How much topsoil do I need for a 10×10 area?
A 10×10 ft area is 100 square feet. At 4 inches deep you need about 1.23 cubic yards; at 6 inches deep about 1.85 cubic yards; at 12 inches deep about 3.70 cubic yards. Add 10% for settling, so a 6-inch layer means ordering roughly 2.04 cubic yards.
How many bags of topsoil are in a cubic yard?
One cubic yard equals 27 cubic feet. That is 27 one-cubic-foot bags, 18 bags of 1.5 cubic feet, 14 bags of 2 cubic feet (13.5, rounded up), or 36 of the common 40 lb bags that hold about 0.75 cubic feet each.
How much does a cubic yard of topsoil weigh?
A cubic yard of dry screened topsoil weighs about 1 ton (2,000 lb). Compost is lighter at roughly 0.6 tons (1,200 lb) per yard, and fill dirt is heavier at about 1.2 tons (2,400 lb) per yard. Wet soil can weigh 20–30% more, which matters if you are hauling it yourself.
How deep should topsoil be for a new lawn?
For a new lawn from seed or sod, lay 4 to 6 inches of quality topsoil so roots can establish a deep, drought-resistant root system. For overseeding or topdressing an existing lawn, 0.25 to 1 inch is enough. Going thinner than 4 inches on a new lawn often leads to thin, stressed grass.
How much topsoil do I need for a 4×8 raised bed?
A 4×8 ft raised bed that is 12 inches deep holds (4 × 8 × 12) ÷ 324 = 1.19 cubic yards, or 32 cubic feet — about 22 bags of 1.5-cubic-foot soil (24 bags with 10% extra for settling). Leave a 2-inch lip at the top and the soil depth is effectively 10 inches, which needs about 0.99 cubic yards or 18 bags.
What is the difference between topsoil and fill dirt?
Topsoil is the dark, nutrient-rich upper layer of earth that plants grow in. Fill dirt is the dense, clay-heavy subsoil underneath — it has almost no organic matter or nutrients and will not support plant growth on its own. Use fill dirt to build up grade or fill holes, then cap it with 4 to 6 inches of topsoil for anything you want to plant.
How much area does a cubic yard of topsoil cover?
One cubic yard of topsoil covers about 324 square feet at 1 inch deep, 162 sq ft at 2 inches, 108 sq ft at 3 inches, 81 sq ft at 4 inches, 54 sq ft at 6 inches, or 27 sq ft at 12 inches deep.
How much topsoil do I need for 1,000 square feet?
For 1,000 sq ft: at 2 inches deep you need about 6.17 cubic yards; at 3 inches about 9.26 cubic yards; at 6 inches about 18.52 cubic yards. Add 10% for settling — a 3-inch layer over 1,000 sq ft means ordering roughly 10.19 cubic yards.
How much does topsoil cost per cubic yard?
In 2026, bulk screened topsoil typically costs $25 to $55 per cubic yard for the material, with delivery fees of $50 to $150 per trip, so a delivered yard often lands between $60 and $110 all-in. Bagged topsoil from a garden center works out to roughly $200–$400 per cubic yard — several times the bulk price. Always confirm pricing with local suppliers.
Should I buy topsoil in bags or in bulk?
For under about half a cubic yard — a small patch or a few low spots — bags are easier: no delivery to schedule and no pile in the driveway. Above roughly one cubic yard, bulk delivery is almost always cheaper. Example: 2.04 cubic yards as bulk at $45/yard plus a $60 delivery is about $151.80, while the same volume in 74 bags at $4 each costs $296.
Does topsoil settle, and how much extra should I order?
Yes — topsoil settles after it is spread, watered, and rained on, and uneven ground eats extra volume too. Order 5–10% more than the exact calculation; this calculator defaults to a 10% allowance. A 10×10 ft area at 6 inches calculates to 1.85 cubic yards, so you would order about 2.04 cubic yards.
Can I use fill dirt instead of topsoil?
Only where nothing will grow. Fill dirt is fine for raising grade, filling holes, or building a base under patios and sheds, but it has no nutrients and compacts hard. If you need to raise an area and then plant a lawn or garden on it, use fill dirt for the base and finish with 4 to 6 inches of topsoil on top.
How many 40 lb bags of topsoil do I need?
A standard 40 lb bag of topsoil holds about 0.75 cubic feet, so there are 36 bags per cubic yard. Divide your cubic feet by 0.75 and round up. Example: a circular bed 8 ft across at 4 inches deep needs 0.62 cubic yards (16.8 cubic feet) — plus 10% settling that is 25 bags of 40 lb.
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Disclaimer: this topsoil calculator provides planning estimates only. Actual quantities vary with compaction, moisture content, ground conditions, and supplier-specific densities. Densities shown are typical dry-weight averages. Always add a settling allowance and confirm the final order with your supplier.
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