Topsoil Calculator
Find how much topsoil you need by volume and weight.
Enter the area and the depth of topsoil you want to add to get the volume in cubic yards and cubic feet plus an approximate weight. Great for leveling lawns, topdressing, and filling beds.
How it works
Volume is area × depth (in feet), divided by 27 for cubic yards. Screened topsoil weighs roughly 1.1 tons per cubic yard, varying with moisture and organic content. For a new lawn, 4–6 inches of quality topsoil is ideal.
Worked example
To top a 20 ft × 10 ft garden bed with 4 inches of soil: 200 sq ft × 0.333 ft = 66.7 cu ft, ÷ 27 = 2.47 cubic yards. Screened topsoil weighs roughly 1 ton per cubic yard moist, so that's about 2.5 tons. Bulk delivery by the yard is far cheaper than bagged soil for anything over about half a yard.
What changes your estimate
- Settling. Fresh topsoil settles after watering — order a little extra if you need a precise finished grade.
- Screened vs. unscreened. Screened topsoil is cleaner and easier to spread; unscreened is cheaper but contains rocks and clumps.
- Moisture and weight. Wet topsoil is much heavier per yard than dry, which matters if priced by the ton.
- Bulk vs. bags. Bagged soil costs several times more per yard — only worth it for tiny areas or when a truck can't deliver.