Free Topsoil Calculator
Use this topsoil calculator to see how many cubic yards or bags of topsoil you need for a lawn, garden or raised bed.
Topsoil is sold by the cubic yard in bulk or in bags of about 0.75 to 1 cubic foot. Work out the volume from area × depth, then add a little for settling.
For raised beds, use the bed's inside length, width and height. You can add several beds below.
Raised bed soil calculator example
Two 4 × 8 ft raised beds, 12 in deep: 64 sq ft × 12 in ÷ 12 = 64 cu ft, plus 10% extra = 70.4 cu ft. Divide by 27 to get 2.61 cubic yards, which weighs about 2.87 tons, or 71 × 1 cu ft bags.
How deep should topsoil be?
| Use | Depth | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| New lawn from seed or sod | 4 to 6 in | |
| Top-dressing an existing lawn | 1/4 to 1/2 in | |
| New garden beds | 6 to 12 in | |
| Raised beds | Full bed height | Often mixed with compost. |
| Filling low spots | Measure the dip | Fill in layers of a few inches and let each settle. |
Coverage per cubic yard and per bag
| Depth | Sq ft per cubic yard | Sq ft per 1 cu ft bag |
|---|---|---|
| 1 in | 324 | 12 |
| 2 in | 162 | 6 |
| 3 in | 108 | 4 |
| 4 in | 81 | 3 |
| 6 in | 54 | 2 |
| 12 in | 27 | 1 |
Buying tips
- Screened topsoil has stones and roots removed. It costs a little more but is easier to spread and better for lawns.
- Raised beds usually do better with a mix of topsoil and compost, often around 60/40. Split the total between the topsoil and compost calculators.
- A cubic yard of moist topsoil weighs about a ton, so most pickups can only carry about one yard at a time.
- Bagged soil is convenient for a few small beds; above about 1 cubic yard (27 one-foot bags), bulk delivery is usually cheaper.
How much does topsoil weigh?
A cubic yard of topsoil typically weighs 2,000 to 2,800 lb (1 to 1.4 tons). The calculator uses 2,200 lb (1.1 tons) per cubic yard. Moisture and grading change the weight, so if your supplier sells by the ton, ask for their figure.
Frequently asked questions
Is top soil the same as topsoil?
Yes, it is the same material spelled two ways: the upper layer of soil, rich in organic matter. This calculator works for either.
How much topsoil do I need for a garden bed?
New garden beds usually get 6 to 12 in. A 10 × 4 ft garden bed at 8 in deep needs about 26.7 cu ft, or 1 cubic yard.
How many bags of topsoil are in a yard?
27 bags of 1 cu ft, or 36 bags of 0.75 cu ft.
How much does a yard of topsoil weigh?
About 2,000 to 2,700 lb depending on moisture and clay content. Our estimate uses 2,200 lb (1.1 tons).
How much topsoil do I need for a 4 × 8 raised bed?
For a bed 12 inches deep: 4 × 8 × 1 = 32 cu ft, about 1.2 cubic yards before settling.
How much topsoil do I need for a new lawn?
About 4 to 6 inches. For 1,000 sq ft at 4 inches that is about 12.3 cubic yards.
How accurate is this topsoil calculator?
The topsoil calculator gives the exact volume for the measurements you enter, then adds 10% extra (you can change it). Weights use a typical 1.1 tons per cubic yard; real loads vary with moisture, so confirm with your supplier if you buy by the ton. Measure carefully: an error of one inch in depth changes a 3 inch layer by a third.
How the topsoil calculator works
Volume = area × depth. Each area is worked out from its shape (length × width, π × radius², or ½ × base × height), converted to square feet, multiplied by the depth in feet, and added up. Cubic feet ÷ 27 = cubic yards.The extra percentage is then added, and bag counts are rounded up to whole bags. See how we calculate for every figure we use.