Free Landscape Calculator
Topsoil Calculator
Calculate exactly how many cubic yards and tons of topsoil you need for new lawns, garden beds and raised planters. Instant results with US cost estimates. Whether you call it topsoil or top soil, the math is the same.
👤 Who is this for: new lawn builders, raised-bed gardeners, landscapers & DIY graders.
📊 Understanding Your Results
Cubic Yards — Standard unit for bulk topsoil delivery. Always order in cubic yards for accurate pricing.
Cubic Feet — One 40-pound bag of topsoil = approximately 0.75 cubic feet.
Tons — Topsoil averages 1.1 tons per cubic yard. Always add 15% extra for compaction and settling. Sand is measured the same way — the sand calculator (cubic yards and tons) converts your area and depth into both units.
How the Topsoil Calculator Works
Our topsoil calculator uses volumetric calculations to estimate exactly how much topsoil you need. For a new lawn, you need a minimum of 4–6 inches of quality topsoil to support healthy grass root development.
The Topsoil Formula
Step 2: Cubic Yards = Cubic Feet ÷ 27
Step 3: Tons = Cubic Yards × 1.1
Step 4: Add 15% for compaction and settling after watering
Example: A 20×15 ft lawn at 4 inches = 300 × (4÷12) = 100 cu ft = 3.7 cubic yards ≈ 4.1 tons. Order 4.5 yards.
Recommended Topsoil Depths by Project
| Project Type | Depth | 1 Cu Yd Covers |
|---|---|---|
| Lawn top-dressing | 1–2 inches | 162–324 sq ft |
| New lawn seeding | 4–6 inches | 54–81 sq ft |
| Flower and garden beds | 6–8 inches | 40–54 sq ft |
| Raised garden beds | 10–12 inches | 27–32 sq ft |
| Grading and leveling | 4–6 inches | 54–81 sq ft |
📝 Real Project Example
1,000 sq ft lawn, 4-inch topsoil layer:
- Area: 1,000 sq ft
- Depth: 4 inches = 0.33 ft
- Volume: 1,000 × 0.33 = 333 cu ft
- Cubic yards: 333 ÷ 27 = 12.3 → order 14 cubic yards
- Weight: 12.3 × 1.1 = ~13.5 tons (plan the heavy end if it rained recently)
- Bagged alternative: 12.3 × 36 = 443 bags of 0.75 cu ft topsoil
- Cost check: 14 cubic yards bulk at $40 = $560 vs 443 bags at ~$3.50 each = ~$1,550 — bulk saves roughly 65%
Rounding up to 14 yards covers the 10–15% settling allowance.
📚 Sources & Methodology
How we calculate. Step 1: volume in cubic feet = length × width × depth (all in feet). Step 2: cubic yards = cubic feet ÷ 27. Step 3: tons = cubic yards × 1.1 (dry topsoil ≈ 2,200 lbs per cubic yard). Step 4: 0.75-cu-ft bags = cubic feet ÷ 0.75. We recommend adding 10–15% extra for settling and uneven ground.
Cross-checked. Our 1.1 tons/yd³ figure matches published material-weight references: dry topsoil ≈ 2,000 lbs/yd³ (≈ 1 ton); moist and compacted soil runs heavier, up to 3,000 lbs (1.5 tons) when saturated — confirm with your supplier if ordering wet soil.
Sources:
- The Calculator Site — How Much Does a Cubic Yard Weigh? (material weight chart: topsoil dry 1,800–2,200 lbs)
- Topsoil.com — Cubic Yard of Topsoil Weight (weight ranges by moisture condition)
Last updated: October 2026.
Topsoil Coverage Chart: How Much Topsoil per Square Foot
Find your area, pick your depth, and read off the cubic yards to order:
| Area | 2 in deep | 4 in deep | 6 in deep |
|---|---|---|---|
| 500 sq ft | 3.1 cu yd | 6.2 cu yd | 9.3 cu yd |
| 1,000 sq ft | 6.2 cu yd | 12.3 cu yd | 18.5 cu yd |
| 2,000 sq ft | 12.3 cu yd | 24.7 cu yd | 37.0 cu yd |
Add 10–15% extra for settling and uneven ground.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about topsoil for lawns and garden projects.
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Mix topsoil with 20–30% compost for best lawn results.
Till existing soil 4–6 inches deep before adding new topsoil.
Order 15% more than calculated — topsoil compacts after watering.