Topsoil Calculator
Find out how much topsoil you need for a lawn, sod, grass seed, garden or raised bed. Enter length, width and depth to get cubic yards, bags and tons in a second.
Enter your area
Tip: 4–6 inches is typical for new lawns. See the depth guide below.
Use the volume printed on the bag label. Bag weight alone does not show how much space the soil fills.
Enter a number greater than zero for every visible dimension, depth and bag size.
You will need
Includes 10% extra for settling. Tons use a conservative 1.3 tons/yd³ transport estimate; actual weight varies.
How Much Topsoil Do I Need? How to Calculate It
Calculating topsoil comes down to one simple idea: volume equals length × width × depth. The only trick is keeping every measurement in the same unit before you multiply, then converting the result into cubic yards — the standard way topsoil is sold in bulk.
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1
Measure the area. Record the length and width of your bed or lawn. For odd shapes, split them into rectangles and add the results together.
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2
Choose a depth. Decide how deep the topsoil layer should be. Convert inches to feet by dividing by 12 (e.g. 4 inches = 0.33 ft).
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3
Find cubic feet. Multiply length × width × depth (all in feet). A 10 × 10 ft bed at 4 in deep = 10 × 10 × 0.33 = 33.3 cubic feet.
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4
Convert to cubic yards. Divide cubic feet by 27 (there are 27 ft³ in a yd³). 33.3 ÷ 27 ≈ 1.23 cubic yards.
Recommended Topsoil Depth Guide
Different projects need different depths. Use this table as a starting point, then adjust for your soil and plants.
| Project | Recommended depth | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| New lawn / grass seed | 4–6 in (10–15 cm) | Enough for roots to establish. |
| Overseeding existing lawn | 0.25–0.5 in (0.5–1 cm) | A light top dressing only. |
| Flower beds | 6–12 in (15–30 cm) | Deeper for perennials. |
| Vegetable garden | 8–12 in (20–30 cm) | Root veg needs more depth. |
| Raised beds | 10–18 in (25–45 cm) | Fill to a few cm below the rim. |
| Sod / turf laying | 3–4 in (8–10 cm) | Level base before laying. |
How Much Topsoil Do I Need for 100, 500 or 1,000 Square Feet?
Use this quick reference when you already know the area. Values show cubic yards and 0.75 ft³ bags before adding extra for settling.
| Area | 2 inches deep | 4 inches deep | 6 inches deep |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100 ft² | 0.62 yd³ · 17 bags | 1.23 yd³ · 34 bags | 1.85 yd³ · 50 bags |
| 500 ft² | 3.09 yd³ · 84 bags | 6.17 yd³ · 167 bags | 9.26 yd³ · 250 bags |
| 1,000 ft² | 6.17 yd³ · 167 bags | 12.35 yd³ · 334 bags | 18.52 yd³ · 500 bags |
| 2,000 ft² | 12.35 yd³ · 334 bags | 24.69 yd³ · 667 bags | 37.04 yd³ · 1,000 bags |
Actual bag counts depend on the volume printed on the label. Add about 5–10% when the ground is uneven or the soil will settle.
Already know how much topsoil you have?
See how many square feet it will cover at any spread depth.
Filling pots and planters?
Calculate liters, gallons, cubic feet and bags for round, rectangular or tapered containers.
Adding compost to the soil?
Estimate compost volume and bags for garden beds, lawn topdressing or a raised bed blend.
Adding mulch to a garden bed?
Calculate cubic yards, cubic feet, bags and coverage for landscape mulch at your chosen depth.
Planning a patio or walkway?
Estimate paver count, base gravel and bedding sand before ordering materials.
Ordering gravel or stone?
Estimate cubic yards, tons and bags for driveways, paths, drainage and landscape beds.
Removing old soil?
Estimate the compact volume, loose haul volume and truckloads before arranging disposal.
Need to convert tons and cubic yards?
Convert tons of topsoil, compost, mulch, sand or gravel to cubic yards, or convert cubic yards back to tons.
Need a topsoil weight estimate?
Check pounds, short tons, kilograms and metric tonnes using an adjustable topsoil density.
Need the soil volume first?
Calculate cubic feet, cubic yards and bags for a garden bed, planter or any shaped area.
Already have a supplier quote?
Add delivery and tax, then compare the same volume with bagged topsoil.
Filling a raised garden bed?
Calculate multiple beds, soil bags and a custom topsoil-compost mix.
Planning soil for a lawn?
Use the topsoil calculator for grass and sod to choose a project depth for topdressing, a new lawn, sod preparation or leveling.
Sell topsoil or landscape materials?
Add our free calculator to your product page so customers can estimate before they order.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much topsoil do I need for a 10×10 ft area? +
At a 4-inch depth, a 10×10 ft area (100 ft²) needs about 33.3 cubic feet, or roughly 1.23 cubic yards. That's around 1.6 tons of topsoil. Enter your own numbers above for an exact figure.
How much topsoil do I need for 1,000 square feet? +
At 2 inches deep, 1,000 square feet needs about 6.17 cubic yards. At 4 inches, it needs 12.35 cubic yards; at 6 inches, 18.52 cubic yards. These are before adding extra for settling.
How many bags of topsoil are in a cubic yard? +
One cubic yard equals 27 cubic feet. Standard bags hold 0.75 ft³, so you need about 36 bags per cubic yard. Larger 1.5 ft³ bags need about 18 per cubic yard.
How many liters are in a cubic yard of topsoil? +
One cubic yard contains about 764.6 liters (litres) because it equals 27 cubic feet. This is a volume conversion; the number of bags depends on the volume printed on each bag.
How many yards are in a ton of topsoil? +
It depends on soil density. Using the calculator's planning estimate of 1.3 short tons per cubic yard, 1 ton is about 0.77 cubic yards. Wet or dense soil can weigh more, so confirm the supplier's delivered weight.
How do I calculate how much topsoil I need? +
Multiply the area length by width and by the topsoil depth in feet, then divide cubic feet by 27 to get cubic yards. For a lawn or sod project, use the Topsoil Calculator for Lawn & Sod to start with a project-specific depth.
How big is a cubic yard of topsoil? +
A cubic yard is 27 cubic feet, or a cube measuring 3 feet by 3 feet by 3 feet. It covers about 81 square feet at 4 inches deep before settling, or 162 square feet at 2 inches deep.
How much will a 40 lb bag of topsoil cover? +
Check the cubic-foot volume printed on the bag because two 40 lb bags can contain different volumes as moisture and soil density change. If the label says 0.75 ft³, one bag covers about 9 ft² at 1 inch deep, 4.5 ft² at 2 inches, or 3 ft² at 3 inches.
How much does a cubic yard of topsoil weigh? +
A medium-textured dry estimate is about 2,240 lb, or 1.12 short tons, per cubic yard. Actual delivered weight changes with density and moisture. Adjust the density with the Topsoil Weight Calculator.
Should I order extra topsoil? +
Yes. Soil settles and compacts after delivery, and uneven ground uses more than the flat calculation suggests. Ordering 5–10% extra avoids a second delivery.
What's the difference between topsoil and fill dirt? +
Topsoil is the nutrient-rich upper layer used for growing. Fill dirt is subsoil used to raise or level ground where planting isn't the goal. This tool estimates volume for either, but depths differ by purpose.
How do I calculate topsoil for a circular or triangular area? +
Choose Circle and enter the diameter, or choose Triangle and enter the base and perpendicular height. The calculator finds the surface area, multiplies by soil depth and converts the result to cubic yards.
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