Topsoil Calculator
Add each area, pick the project or depth and get the cubic yards, tons, bags and truckloads of topsoil, with extra for settling and bulk versus bagged cost.
Cubic yards = length × width (ft) × depth (in) ÷ 324. 1,000 sq ft at 4 in deep is 12.3 cu yd, or about 14.2 cu yd with 15% for settling (roughly 15.6 tons). One cubic yard covers 81 sq ft at 4 in, 162 sq ft at 2 in and 324 sq ft at 1 in.
How far a cubic yard of topsoil goes
| Depth | One cu yd covers | Weight per cu yd |
|---|---|---|
| 0.5 in | 648 sq ft | 1.1 tons |
| 1 in | 324 sq ft | 1.1 tons |
| 2 in | 162 sq ft | 1.1 tons |
| 3 in | 108 sq ft | 1.1 tons |
| 4 in | 81 sq ft | 1.1 tons |
| 6 in | 54 sq ft | 1.1 tons |
| 8 in | 41 sq ft | 1.1 tons |
| 12 in | 27 sq ft | 1.1 tons |
Topsoil depth by project
| Project | Depth |
|---|---|
| Top dressing a lawn | 0.5 in |
| Filling low spots | 1 in |
| New lawn or sod | 4 in |
| New lawn on poor soil | 6 in |
| Flower or shrub bed | 8 in |
| In-ground vegetable garden | 12 in |
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate how much topsoil I need?
Multiply length × width in feet to get square feet, multiply by the depth in inches and divide by 324 for cubic yards. Add 10–20% because loose topsoil settles.
How much does a yard of topsoil weigh?
About 2,000–2,200 lb (1–1.1 tons) when dry, and up to 3,000 lb when wet. Compost-rich blends weigh less.
How much topsoil do I need for a new lawn?
4–6 in. For 1,000 sq ft at 4 in, that is about 12.3 cu yd, or about 14 cu yd with settling.
How many bags of topsoil are in a yard?
A cubic yard is 27 cu ft, so 36 bags of 0.75 cu ft, 27 bags of 1 cu ft or 18 bags of 1.5 cu ft.
Is bulk topsoil cheaper than bags?
Usually, once you need more than 1–2 cubic yards, even with a delivery fee. Bags make sense for small beds and top dressing.
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Volume = area × depth ÷ 12 ÷ 27 for cubic yards. Bulk densities are typical dry values (screened topsoil about 1.1 tons per cu yd, blends 0.8–0.95, fill dirt 1.2, compost 0.5); moisture can add 20–40%. A half-ton pickup is limited to roughly 1,500 lb of payload. Supplier yards sell in ½ or 1 yd steps.