How Much Does a Yard of Topsoil Cost?
Topsoil Prices by Type (per cubic yard)
If you’re topping up a lawn, filling raised beds, or grading a yard, topsoil is probably on your shopping list. The price swings a lot depending on how you buy it — bulk by the cubic yard is a completely different game from grabbing bags at the garden center. Here’s what a yard of topsoil actually costs in 2026, and how to avoid overpaying.
| Type | 2026 price range (per yd³) | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Unscreened / fill-grade topsoil | $15–$30 | Rough grading, filling low spots |
| Screened topsoil | $25–$60 | Lawns, general landscaping |
| Premium garden mix (topsoil + compost) | $40–$75 | Raised beds, vegetable gardens |
| Bagged topsoil (equivalent per yd³) | $100–$160 | Tiny jobs only |
These are US averages for bulk delivery. Prices run higher near big cities and lower in rural areas with nearby soil suppliers. Always confirm with your local supplier — or enter their price in the Your Local Price box on our topsoil calculator to get an exact figure for your project.
Screened vs. unscreened: screened topsoil has been sifted to remove rocks, roots, and clumps. It costs more, but it spreads evenly and is worth it for lawns and beds. Unscreened is fine for rough grading where nobody will see the finish.
Bulk vs. Bags: The Real Math
This is where most people lose money. A standard bag of topsoil holds 0.75 cubic feet and sells for roughly $2.50–$5. One cubic yard is 27 cubic feet, so:
- Bags per cubic yard: 27 ÷ 0.75 = 36 bags
- Cost per yard in bags: 36 × ~$3.50 = ~$126
Compare that to $25–$60 for a bulk cubic yard of screened topsoil. Bagged soil costs roughly 2–4× more for the same volume. Bags make sense for a single small planter. For anything bigger than a wheelbarrow or two, bulk wins by a mile.
Don’t forget delivery: most suppliers charge a flat $50–$150 delivery fee, and many waive it above a minimum order (often 5–10 yards). If you’re ordering bulk anyway, delivery is usually the cheapest part of the job per yard.
How Much Topsoil Do You Actually Need?
It depends on depth:
- New lawn: 4–6 inches of topsoil
- Top-dressing an existing lawn: ¼–½ inch
- Raised garden beds: 8–12 inches
- Rough grading: whatever it takes to level — measure your low spots
The formula: length × width × depth (all in feet) ÷ 27 = cubic yards.
Example: a 1,000 sq ft lawn getting 4 inches (0.33 ft) of fresh topsoil needs 1,000 × 0.33 ÷ 27 = 12.3 cubic yards. Add 10–15% for settling and uneven ground, so order about 14 yards.
Skip the hand math — our free topsoil calculator does this instantly, including bag counts and cost estimates in 10 currencies.
One more thing to budget: weight. A cubic yard of topsoil weighs roughly 1 ton (about 2,000 lbs) dry and up to 1.5 tons when saturated. If you’re hauling it yourself, check your trailer and vehicle limits before you load up.
Money-Saving Tips
- Buy in bulk, always. Unless the job is tiny, bags are a luxury tax.
- Order in fall. Demand (and sometimes prices) dip after the spring rush.
- Split a load with a neighbor. Delivery fees hurt less when shared, and most suppliers discount larger volumes.
- Check municipal sources. Some cities sell or give away screened compost and soil blends from yard-waste programs at a fraction of retail.
- Compare per-yard, not per-bag or per-scoop. Suppliers quote in different units — convert everything to dollars per cubic yard before comparing. (Our calculator’s local-price box does exactly this.)
- Don’t confuse topsoil with fill dirt. Fill dirt is cheaper ($15–$30/yd³) but has no nutrients — fine under a lawn’s topsoil layer, terrible as the top layer itself. See our fill dirt calculator if you’re doing rough grading.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a cubic yard of topsoil weigh?
Roughly 1 ton (about 2,000 lbs) when dry and up to 1.5 tons when saturated. Confirm with your supplier — moisture content makes a big difference, and it matters if you’re hauling it yourself.
How many 0.75 cu ft bags of topsoil make a cubic yard?
36 bags. At typical garden-center prices that’s around $100–$160 per yard-equivalent — which is why bulk ($25–$60/yd³) wins for any real project.
What’s the difference between topsoil and garden soil?
Bagged “garden soil” is usually topsoil blended with compost and other amendments, sold at a premium. Bulk “premium garden mix” from a landscape supplier is the same idea at a much lower per-yard price.
How deep should topsoil be for a new lawn?
4–6 inches is the standard recommendation. Less than that and grass roots struggle; more is fine but gets expensive fast at 12+ yards per 1,000 sq ft.
Can I use fill dirt instead of topsoil to save money?
For rough grading underneath, yes. As the top layer your grass or plants grow in, no — fill dirt is subsoil with little organic matter or nutrients. Use cheap fill dirt to build up grade, then cap it with 4–6 inches of real topsoil.
Prices are 2026 US averages and vary by region — enter your supplier’s actual price in our topsoil calculator for an exact project cost. Last updated: October 2026.
