Topsoil Calculator
Whether you are preparing ground for a new lawn, leveling a bumpy yard or building up a garden bed, topsoil is usually the biggest material purchase in the project. This topsoil calculator works out the volume you need from the area and depth, then estimates the weight so you know what a delivery truck will bring. Results are shown in cubic feet, cubic yards, cubic meters, tons and common bag sizes.
How to use this calculator
- Choose imperial or metric units.
- Select a rectangle, a circle, or enter a known area. For irregular yards, measure several rectangles and add them up.
- Enter the depth of topsoil to spread. For a new lawn, 4–6 in (10–15 cm) is a good target; for top-dressing or filling dips, use the average depth of the low area.
- Pick the soil type. Moisture changes the weight a lot, so the tons figure is an estimate.
- Order the cubic yards shown plus about 10–20% for settling if you are filling or raising grade.
How the topsoil calculation works
Volume = area × depth. In imperial units the depth in inches is divided by 12: area (sq ft) × depth (in) ÷ 12 = cubic feet, and cubic feet ÷ 27 = cubic yards. In metric, area (m²) × depth (cm) ÷ 100 = cubic meters. Weight is volume multiplied by bulk density. Screened topsoil typically weighs about 1,100–1,600 kg/m³ (roughly 1 to 1.35 tons per cubic yard), with wet clay at the top of that range.
Worked example
A new lawn area of 25 × 20 ft is 500 sq ft. At 4 inches deep that is 500 × 4 ÷ 12 = 166.7 cubic feet, or 6.17 cubic yards. At about 1.1 tons per cubic yard, expect roughly 6.8 tons. Bagged topsoil usually comes in 0.75 or 1 cu ft bags, so you would need more than 160 bags – a clear case for bulk delivery.
How much topsoil for a new lawn?
Grass roots grow best in at least 4 to 6 inches of loose, fertile soil. If your existing ground is compacted subsoil left by construction, spreading 4 inches of topsoil and tilling the top inch or two into the ground beneath helps water and roots move between the layers. For overseeding or repairing thin patches, a light top-dressing of ¼ to ½ inch is enough and will not smother existing grass.
Leveling and filling low spots
To fill a depression, estimate its area and average depth. A shallow dip that is 2 inches deep at the center and zero at the edges has an average depth of roughly 1 inch. Fill deep holes in layers of 2–3 inches, firming and watering each layer, because loose soil can settle by 10–20% over the following months.
Buying good topsoil
Topsoil is not a regulated product, so quality varies widely. Ask your supplier whether it is screened (free of rocks and roots), what the texture is, and whether it has been blended with compost. A loam with a crumbly texture and an earthy smell is ideal for lawns and beds. Avoid soil full of weed roots, construction debris or heavy clay that sets hard when dry. For raised beds, a topsoil–compost blend usually performs better than straight topsoil.
Finally, plan the logistics: bulk topsoil is usually tipped in one pile, so choose a spot close to the work area, lay a tarp on lawns or driveways, and line up a wheelbarrow and a helper – moving six cubic yards by hand is a full day’s work.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cubic yard of topsoil weigh?
Usually about 1,900 to 2,700 lb (roughly 1 to 1.35 US tons), depending on moisture and texture. Dry screened loam is at the lighter end; wet clay is heavier.
How much area does a yard of topsoil cover?
One cubic yard covers about 324 sq ft at 1 inch, 162 sq ft at 2 inches, 81 sq ft at 4 inches and 54 sq ft at 6 inches.
How many bags of topsoil are in a cubic yard?
A cubic yard is 27 cubic feet, so it equals 27 one-cubic-foot bags or 36 bags of 0.75 cu ft.
How deep should topsoil be for grass?
Aim for 4 to 6 inches (10–15 cm) of good soil under a new lawn. Thinner layers can work over decent native soil, but compacted subsoil needs the full depth.
Is topsoil the same as garden soil?
Not quite. Topsoil is the natural upper layer of soil, sold mostly as-is or screened. Bagged “garden soil” is usually topsoil blended with compost or other organic matter for planting beds.