Topsoil Calculator
Calculate topsoil for garden beds, lawns and leveling in cubic yards, bags and approximate tons. Rectangular and round beds, imperial or metric.
How to use the topsoil calculator
- Pick the bed shape — rectangle or round.
- Enter length and width in feet, and the depth of soil to add in inches.
- Choose a bag size if you are buying bagged, or read the cubic yards for a bulk order.
- Check the weight so your trailer or truck can carry the load.
- Add several beds and total them in one go.
Volume, bags and weight
Topsoil is sold bagged (commonly 0.75, 1 or 1.5 cubic feet) and in bulk by the cubic yard. The volume you need is area × depth; a cubic yard covers 108 square feet at 3 inches, or 54 square feet at 6 inches. Screened topsoil weighs about 1.1 tons per cubic yard when slightly damp, which is worth checking against your vehicle’s load rating.
| Use | Typical depth |
|---|---|
| Leveling low spots | 1–2 in |
| New lawn over subsoil | 4–6 in |
| Raised vegetable beds | 8–12 in |
Topsoil vs. fill
Screened topsoil is for growing; fill dirt is for raising grade. A common money-saver is to build the bulk of a raised area with fill and cap it with a few inches of topsoil where roots actually live. Do not pay topsoil prices to fill a hole no plant will ever see.
Ordering tips
- Bulk soil is usually cheaper past a handful of bags — but you need somewhere to tip it.
- Loosen the subsoil first so new topsoil bonds instead of forming a slick layer.
- Keep the 10 percent waste factor on for settling and uneven ground.
Frequently asked questions
How much topsoil do I need?
Multiply the area by the depth you want to add. A 20 ft by 10 ft bed topped up 6 inches (0.5 ft) is 100 cubic feet, or about 3.7 cubic yards. This calculator converts that to cubic yards, bags and approximate weight, and adds a waste allowance.
How many bags of topsoil are in a cubic yard?
It depends on bag size. A cubic yard is 27 cubic feet, so it equals about 36 bags of 0.75 cubic feet, 27 bags of 1 cubic foot, or 18 bags of 1.5 cubic feet. For anything more than a few bags, bulk soil by the yard is usually cheaper.
How deep should topsoil be for a new lawn?
Aim for 4 to 6 inches of quality topsoil over loosened subsoil for a new lawn, and 8 to 12 inches for vegetable beds where roots run deep. For simply leveling low spots, 1 to 2 inches is often enough.
How much does a cubic yard of topsoil weigh?
Screened topsoil weighs roughly 1.1 tons per cubic yard when slightly moist, though wet or clay-heavy soil can be heavier. Use the weight view to check a trailer or truck is rated for the load before you haul it.
Should I get topsoil or fill dirt?
Use screened topsoil where you want things to grow — lawns, beds, vegetable plots. Use cheaper fill dirt to raise grade or build up under a patio, where fertility does not matter. Many projects need a base of fill topped with a few inches of topsoil.
Volumes and weights are estimates for planning only. Soil density varies widely with moisture and composition. Order a little extra to allow for settling.