Topsoil Calculator
Work out how much topsoil you need for a new lawn, garden bed, or raised bed — in cubic yards, tons, and bags, with the density and formula shown.
You need · incl. +10% extra
- Cubic feet
- 36.67 ft³
- Cubic meters
- 1.04 m³
- Pounds
- 2,988 lb
- Kilograms
- 1,355 kg
- Area
- 100 ft²
- Exact volume
- 1.23 yd³
- Density
- 1.1 t/yd³
- Bag size
- 0.75 ft³ bag
Order about 10% extra — topsoil settles after watering and you will lose some to raking and grading. Loose-delivered soil shrinks once it is firmed in.
New lawn or seeding: 4–6 in. Top-dressing an existing lawn: 1/4–1/2 in. Garden beds: 6–8 in. Raised beds: 8–12 in.
The formula & constants
Volume = Area × Depth. Convert to cubic yards (1 yd³ = 27 ft³), then Tons = Cubic yards × Density (screened topsoil ≈ 1.1 tons/yd³).
| Topsoil density (working value) | 1.1 tons/yd³ |
| Typical range | 1–1.3 tons/yd³ |
| Cubic-yard conversion | 1 yd³ = 27 ft³ |
| Recommended overage | +10% |
Topsoil subtypes & their densities
| Subtype | Density |
|---|---|
| Screened topsoil | 1.1 tons/yd³ |
| Garden / planting mix | 1 tons/yd³ |
| Compost-blended topsoil | 1 tons/yd³ |
| Unscreened topsoil | 1.2 tons/yd³ |
Source: Typical screened topsoil bulk density (~1.0–1.3 tons/yd³), per Calculator Soup. Densities vary with moisture and compaction — the weight figure is an estimate.
How much topsoil do you need?
Topsoil is the dark, living top layer of soil where roots feed — screened to remove rocks and debris, sometimes blended with compost. It is what you spread to start a lawn, fill a garden bed, or level low spots. It is not fill: for raising grade or backfilling, use cheaper fill dirt and save topsoil for the planting layer on top.
Depth depends on the job. A new lawn wants 4–6 inches of topsoil over the graded sub-soil so roots have room; seeding into a thin skim never establishes well. Top-dressing an existing lawn is the opposite — a light 1/4 to 1/2 inch raked in. Garden beds want 6–8 inches, and raised beds 8–12 inches, ideally a topsoil-and-compost blend.
Topsoil is usually sold and ordered by the cubic yard (bulk), which is far cheaper than bags for anything lawn-sized. It settles after the first few waterings, so the loose yardage you buy ends up a little shallower once it is firmed in — order around 10% over the calculated volume.
Frequently asked questions
How much topsoil do I need?+
Multiply your area (length × width in feet) by your depth in feet for cubic feet, then divide by 27 for cubic yards. Enter your dimensions and depth above — the calculator shows cubic yards, bags, and weight live.
How many cubic yards of topsoil for a lawn?+
For a new lawn at 4 inches deep, one cubic yard covers about 81 sq ft. So a 1,000 sq ft lawn needs roughly 12–13 cubic yards. Enter your lawn area and 4–6 inches of depth above for an exact figure.
How deep should topsoil be for grass?+
Lay 4–6 inches of topsoil over the graded sub-soil before seeding or laying sod, so roots have depth to establish. To refresh an existing lawn, top-dress with just 1/4 to 1/2 inch and rake it in.
How much does a yard of topsoil weigh?+
About 2,000–2,600 lb (roughly 1.0–1.3 US tons) per cubic yard for screened topsoil. Wet or unscreened soil weighs more, so the weight figure is an estimate, not a guarantee.
How many bags of topsoil are in a cubic yard?+
A cubic yard is 27 cubic feet, so it equals about 36 of the common 0.75 ft³ bags (roughly 40 lb each). Bulk delivery is far cheaper per yard once you need more than a few bags.
What is the difference between topsoil and fill dirt?+
Topsoil is the nutrient-rich, screened upper layer used for growing — lawns, beds, and planting. Fill dirt is the subsoil beneath it, used to raise grade or backfill. Use fill dirt to build up an area, then cap it with topsoil for planting.
How much topsoil for a raised bed?+
Fill a raised bed with 8–12 inches of a topsoil-and-compost blend. Measure the bed length and width, set the depth to your bed height, and read the cubic yards — a 4 ft × 8 ft bed at 10 inches needs about 1 cubic yard.
How much area does a yard of topsoil cover?+
A cubic yard of topsoil covers about 162 sq ft at 2 inches, 108 sq ft at 3 inches, or 81 sq ft at 4 inches. Coverage halves as you double the depth.
Should I order extra topsoil?+
Yes — add about 10%. Topsoil settles after watering and you lose some to grading and raking, so the loose volume delivered ends up slightly shallower than the calculated depth.
Is this topsoil calculator free?+
Yes — free, no sign-up, and it runs entirely in your browser, so nothing you enter is stored or sent anywhere.