Topsoil Calculator
- Updated Jul 2026
This free topsoil calculator works out exactly how much topsoil you need for a garden bed, lawn or fill project, in cubic yards, cubic feet, bags and tons. One cubic yard covers about 100 square feet at 3 inches deep and weighs roughly 1 to 1.35 tons. Enter your area, depth and soil type below for exact quantities and cost.
Table of Contents
TopSoil Calculator Tool
Enter Your Details
Fill in the fields, then press Calculate.
Fill in your information on the left to see your result.
Results are estimates for planning purposes. Verify quantities for structural or safety-critical work.
How to use this topsoil calculator
Topsoil is sold by volume for bulk delivery and by weight at the yard, so the topsoil calculator gives you both figures at once. There are four steps:
- Enter your area, either length and width, or a total square footage if you already have it.
- Set the depth in inches. Most projects fall between 2 and 12 inches, covered in the depth guide below.
- Choose a soil type. Screened topsoil, compost blend or fill dirt, which changes weight and cost but not volume.
- Add a settling allowance and price for a full cost and tonnage estimate.
Results return in cubic yards, cubic feet, bag counts and tons, so you can order in whichever unit your supplier quotes.
Topsoil formula
Everything the topsoil calculator does comes down to two formulas, depending on your units:
Cubic yards = Length (ft) × Width (ft) × Depth (ft) ÷ 27Shortcut: Cubic yards = Area (sq ft) × Depth (in) ÷ 324
That shortcut is the one worth remembering. Because a cubic yard holds 27 cubic feet and a foot has 12 inches, 12 times 27 is 324, so dividing square footage by that figure jumps you straight to cubic yards. A 200 square foot bed at 6 inches deep needs 200 times 6 divided by 324, which is 3.7 cubic yards.
The number to remember: 1 cubic yard covers 100 sq ft at 3 inches, and weighs about 1 to 1.35 tons depending on moisture.
How to calculate topsoil step by step
If you would rather check the maths by hand, here is the full method:
- Measure length and width in feet and multiply for the area in square feet.
- Pick your depth in inches.
- Multiply area by depth, then divide by 324 for cubic yards.
- Add 10 to 20 percent for settling, since loose topsoil compacts once watered and walked on.
- Round up to the nearest half or full yard, since suppliers rarely split loads finely.
For odd shaped areas, split the space into rectangles and circles, run each through the topsoil calculator, then total the volumes. If you already know your area, our square footage calculator gives you the figure to drop straight in.
Nominal vs actual: use the board’s nominal (rough, pre-planed) size when calculating board feet — a “2×4” is nominally 2″ × 4″, even though its actual planed size is 1.5″ × 3.5″. Lumber is sold by nominal board feet.
Use the first when your length is in feet, and the second when every dimension is in inches. Both give the same answer. If your measurements are in centimetres, run them through our cm to inches converter first, then use the board foot calculator above.
How much topsoil do I need? Quick chart
These are the figures people search for most, in cubic yards. Every value already uses the divide by 324 shortcut.
| 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 | 1.23 yd³ | 2.47 yd³ | 3.70 yd³ | 7.41 yd³ |
| 500 sq ft | 3.09 yd³ | 6.17 yd³ | 9.26 yd³ | 18.5 yd³ |
| 1,000 sq ft | 6.17 yd³ | 12.3 yd³ | 18.5 yd³ | 37.0 yd³ |
So the most asked question, how much topsoil for 1,000 square feet, comes out at about 12.3 cubic yards for a 4 inch new lawn, or 18.5 yards at 6 inches. A 10 by 10 area at 6 inches needs about 1.85 cubic yards, roughly 1.9 tons.
Always add for settling. Fresh topsoil settles 10 to 20 percent after watering and foot traffic, so a bed that measures 3 yards really needs about 3.5 yards ordered to finish at the right level.
Types of topsoil
Soil type does not change the volume the topsoil calculator returns, but it changes weight, cost and what the soil is good for. Pick the closest match before you order.
| Type | Best for | Traits | Weight per yd³ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Screened topsoil | Lawns, beds, general landscaping | Sifted, few rocks, clean and versatile | 1,800 to 2,200 lb |
| Compost / garden mix | Vegetable beds, raised beds, amending | Nutrient rich, holds moisture | 1,000 to 1,400 lb |
| Unscreened / fill dirt | Grading, filling holes, raising level | Rough, structural, not for planting | 2,000 to 2,700 lb |
| Sandy loam | Drainage, lawns, mixed planting | Light, drains fast, easy to work | 1,600 to 1,900 lb |
How deep should topsoil be?
Depth matters as much as area. Too shallow and roots cannot establish, too deep and you waste soil and money.
| Application | Depth | Coverage per yd³ | Best type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lawn topdressing | 0.5 to 1 in | 324 to 648 sq ft | Screened topsoil |
| Sod installation | 2 to 4 in | 81 to 162 sq ft | Screened topsoil |
| New lawn from seed | 4 to 6 in | 54 to 81 sq ft | Screened topsoil |
| Flower beds | 6 to 8 in | 40 to 54 sq ft | Screened + compost |
| Vegetable garden | 8 to 12 in | 27 to 40 sq ft | Compost / garden mix |
| Raised beds | 8 to 18 in | 18 to 40 sq ft | Compost / garden mix |
| Leveling low spots | As needed | 324 sq ft at 1 in | Fill dirt, top with screened |
How much does a yard of topsoil weigh?
Weight matters for delivery and for quotes priced by the ton. A cubic yard of topsoil runs about 1 to 1.35 tons dry, and more when wet, since water adds significant weight.
| Quantity | Dry weight | Tons | Wet / compacted |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 cubic yard | 2,000 to 2,200 lb | 1.0 to 1.1 | up to 2,700 lb |
| 3 cubic yards | 6,000 to 6,600 lb | 3.0 to 3.3 | up to 8,100 lb |
| 5 cubic yards | 10,000 to 11,000 lb | 5.0 to 5.5 | up to 13,500 lb |
| 10 cubic yards | 20,000 to 22,000 lb | 10 to 11 | up to 27,000 lb |
A quick conversion: multiply cubic yards by about 1.08 for tons of dry topsoil. Compost weighs far less, around 1,000 to 1,400 lb per yard, so a quote by the ton buys you more compost than it does topsoil.
Buying by the ton? A ton of wet soil after rain holds less actual volume than a ton of dry, so you get less coverage. Order by the cubic yard where you can.
Topsoil for raised beds
Raised beds are the most common topsoil project, and the fill is simple volume: length times width times height. A 4 by 8 foot bed, 12 inches deep, needs 32 cubic feet, which is 1.19 cubic yards before settling.
For raised beds, a compost and screened topsoil blend works best: roughly half compost for nutrients, half topsoil for structure. Add 20 percent for settling, since beds compact noticeably in the first season. To work out a mulch layer on top afterwards, use our mulch calculator, and for the bed’s footprint area our square footage calculator helps.
How many bags of topsoil in a cubic yard?
Bagged topsoil suits small jobs, but the counts climb fast. Bags are sold by volume or weight, and the topsoil calculator converts your total into whichever your store stocks.
| Bag size | Bags per cubic yard | Covers at 3 in |
|---|---|---|
| 0.75 cu ft (40 lb) | 36 bags | ~3 sq ft each |
| 1.0 cu ft | 27 bags | ~4 sq ft each |
| 1.5 cu ft | 18 bags | ~6 sq ft each |
| 2.0 cu ft | 13.5 bags | ~8 sq ft each |
Bags per yard is simply 27 divided by the bag size in cubic feet. Past roughly 1.5 cubic yards, about 54 of the 40 lb bags, bulk delivery almost always costs less and saves a lot of lifting.
Bags or bulk: which is cheaper?
| Bagged topsoil | Bulk delivery | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Under ~1.5 cubic yards | Over ~1.5 cubic yards |
| Typical jobs | Raised beds, patching, pots | New lawns, grading, large beds |
| Cost per yard | Higher, often 2 to 3 times bulk | Substantially lower |
| Handling | Carry each bag yourself | Dumped in one spot, barrow it |
| Minimum order | Single bag | Usually 1 to 3 yards |
How much does topsoil cost?
| Item | Typical cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bulk screened topsoil | $20 to $55 per yd³ | Material, before delivery |
| Bulk fill dirt | $10 to $25 per yd³ | Cheapest option |
| Compost / garden mix | $30 to $60 per yd³ | Premium, nutrient rich |
| Delivery fee | $50 to $150 | Often free above 5 yards |
| Bagged topsoil | $2 to $6 per bag | Works out dearer per yard |
Prices swing by region and season. Enter your local rate into the topsoil calculator for an accurate total, and if a supplier runs a seasonal deal, our discount calculator shows what the reduced rate saves across the full order.
Topsoil vs fill dirt vs compost
- Topsoil is the upper, fertile layer of soil, good for growing grass and plants. Screened topsoil is the clean, sifted version for visible areas.
- Fill dirt is subsoil with little organic matter. It is cheaper and compacts well, so it is used to raise levels and fill holes, not to grow in.
- Compost is decomposed organic matter. It is mixed into topsoil to add nutrients rather than used alone.
A common approach for a deep fill is fill dirt for the bulk of the depth, topped with 4 to 6 inches of screened topsoil for anything you plan to plant.
Common topsoil estimating mistakes
- Forgetting settling. Order 10 to 20 percent extra or the finished bed sits low.
- Confusing cubic feet with cubic yards. They differ by 27 times.
- Buying fill dirt to grow in, which lacks the nutrients plants need.
- Ordering by the ton after rain, when wet soil weighs more and covers less.
- Going too shallow for the use, which starves roots. Match the depth guide.
- Ignoring delivery minimums, since many yards will not deliver under a yard or two.
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Frequently asked questions
How much topsoil do I need?
Multiply your area in square feet by the depth in inches and divide by 324 for cubic yards. A 200 sq ft bed at 6 inches needs about 3.7 cubic yards. Add 10 to 20 percent for settling.
How much topsoil do I need for 1,000 square feet?
How much does a yard of topsoil weigh?
Roughly 2,000 to 2,200 lb dry, about 1 to 1.1 tons, rising to 2,700 lb when wet or compacted.
How many bags of topsoil are in a cubic yard?
36 bags at 0.75 cu ft each, 27 at 1 cu ft, 18 at 1.5 cu ft, or about 14 at 2 cu ft.
How much area does a cubic yard of topsoil cover?
About 324 sq ft at 1 inch, 162 at 2 inches, 108 at 3 inches, and 81 at 4 inches deep.
How deep should topsoil be?
Half an inch for topdressing, 4 to 6 inches for a new lawn, 6 to 8 for flower beds, and 8 to 12 for vegetable gardens.
What is the difference between topsoil and fill dirt?
Topsoil is the fertile top layer for growing. Fill dirt is subsoil with little organic matter, used to raise levels and fill holes, not for planting.
Should I buy bagged or bulk topsoil?
Bags for small jobs under about 1.5 cubic yards. Bulk delivery for anything larger, since it is cheaper per yard and far less lifting.
Sources and further reading: Depth and application guidance on this page aligns with USDA soil and planting guidance, and density figures follow published averages from university extension landscaping resources. Confirm exact density and pricing with your supplier, as moisture content changes delivered weight.