Topsoil Calculator
Find out how many cubic yards, bags, and pounds of topsoil you need for any garden, lawn, or landscaping project.
Cost Estimate (optional)
| Measurement | Value |
|---|
Topsoil Depth and Coverage Guide
Topsoil depth requirements vary by project. This guide shows recommended depths and coverage per cubic yard for common landscaping applications.
Types of Topsoil Explained
Topsoil type selection determines plant growth success and project cost. Choose the right product for your specific application.
Bagged vs. Bulk Topsoil Guide
Topsoil buying strategy depends entirely on project volume. This table helps you decide which purchase method saves money.
How to Calculate Topsoil Volume
Calculating topsoil volume is a three-step process using the dimensions of your project area.
- Measure the length and width of your area in feet. Multiply them together to get area in square feet.
- Convert your desired depth from inches to feet by dividing by 12. For 4 inches, that is 4 divided by 12 = 0.333 feet.
- Multiply area by depth to get cubic feet. Divide cubic feet by 27 to convert to cubic yards.
Topsoil Volume Example
A flower bed is 10 feet long and 6 feet wide. You want 6 inches of topsoil. Area = 10 x 6 = 60 sq ft. Depth in feet = 6 / 12 = 0.5 ft. Volume = 60 x 0.5 = 30 cubic feet. In cubic yards = 30 / 27 = 1.11 cubic yards. Adding 10% for settling gives 1.22 cubic yards to order.
Frequently Asked Questions
Measure length, width, and desired depth of your area. Multiply length by width to get square footage, divide depth in inches by 12 to convert to feet, then multiply all three values. Divide by 27 to get cubic yards. Add 10% to 15% for settling and waste. The calculator above does all of this automatically.
For a new lawn from seed, topsoil should be 4 to 6 inches deep. This gives grass roots enough soil to establish properly. For sod installation, 2 to 4 inches is sufficient. For top dressing an existing lawn, a light layer of 0.5 to 1 inch is all that is needed.
A standard full-size dump truck holds 10 to 14 cubic yards of topsoil. A smaller half-ton pickup truck can carry approximately 1 cubic yard safely. For projects needing more than 5 cubic yards, bulk delivery from a landscaping supplier is the most practical and economical option.
One cubic yard of dry screened topsoil weighs approximately 1,080 to 1,350 pounds, or about 0.54 to 0.68 tons. Wet topsoil or unscreened fill dirt can weigh up to 1,800 pounds per cubic yard due to higher moisture content and density.
Buy bagged topsoil for small projects under 0.25 cubic yards, like filling a single planter or patching a few bare spots. Choose bulk delivery for projects over 1 cubic yard, as the per-yard cost is substantially lower. For 0.25 to 1 cubic yard, compare prices between bagged and bulk at your local supplier.
For a vegetable garden, use a compost or garden mix blend. This type is nutrient-rich from organic matter, retains moisture well, and has a loose structure that lets vegetable roots grow deep. Apply 8 to 12 inches of compost mix for best vegetable production results.
Topsoil settles after watering and compacts under foot traffic. Adding 10% to 15% extra ensures you have enough material after settling. Delivery and spreading also causes some spillage. Ordering slightly more than your exact calculation prevents running short mid-project.