Topsoil Calculator
Cubic yards and bags of topsoil for beds, lawns, and grading.
1 in to topdress a lawn, 4 to 6 in for new lawns and beds.
You need
1.23 cubic yards
Bulk delivery is usually cheaper above about 2 cubic yards.
- Volume
- 33.3 cu ft
- 0.75 cu ft bags
- 45 bags
- Approximate weight
- 1.4 tons
Estimates only. Verify quantities before ordering.
How this is calculated
Volume = length (ft) x width (ft) x depth (in) / 12, then divided by 27 for cubic yards. Bags assume the common 0.75 cu ft size. Weight assumes about 1.1 tons per cubic yard for screened topsoil; wet soil weighs noticeably more.
Enter the length and width of the area in feet and the depth of soil in inches, and this calculator returns the volume in cubic yards, the equivalent bag count, and the approximate weight. Landscape suppliers sell topsoil by the cubic yard, and knowing the weight helps you decide between pickup and delivery.
Depth depends on the job. Topdressing a thin lawn takes only a half inch to an inch. Seeding a new lawn wants 4 to 6 inches of quality soil, and vegetable beds are usually filled 6 to 12 inches deep. If you are spreading over compacted or clay ground, till the first inch or two of new soil into the existing surface so water does not stop at the boundary.
Topsoil for common projects
Depths follow the use: shallow for topdressing, deeper for new lawns and beds. Bags are the common 0.75 cu ft size.
| Project | Cubic yards | Bags |
|---|---|---|
| 10 x 10 ft bed, 6 in | 1.85 cubic yards | 67 bags |
| 4 x 8 ft raised bed, 10 in | 0.99 cubic yards | 36 bags |
| 20 x 20 ft topdress, 1 in | 1.23 cubic yards | 45 bags |
| 25 x 40 ft new lawn, 4 in | 12.35 cubic yards | 445 bags |
| 50 x 50 ft new lawn, 4 in | 30.86 cubic yards | 1,112 bags |
Common questions
How much does a yard of topsoil cover?
One cubic yard covers 108 square feet at 3 inches deep, 81 square feet at 4 inches, and 54 square feet at 6 inches. For a quick check, multiply your square footage by the depth in inches and divide by 324 to get cubic yards.
How much does a cubic yard of topsoil weigh?
Screened topsoil runs about 2,000 to 2,400 lb per cubic yard, more when wet. That is at or over the payload limit of a half-ton pickup, so plan on hauling one yard per trip at most, or pay the delivery fee, which is usually modest compared to multiple trips.
Should I buy topsoil in bags or in bulk?
A cubic yard equals 36 of the common 0.75 cu ft bags. Bagged soil often costs three to five times more per yard than bulk, so bags only make sense for jobs under about half a yard or where a delivery truck cannot reach.
What depth of topsoil do I need for a new lawn?
Grass roots best in 4 to 6 inches of decent soil. If your existing ground is workable, you can till 2 to 3 inches of new topsoil into it instead of building the full depth from scratch. Avoid spreading a thin layer of new soil over hard compacted clay, since roots and water will both stop at the interface.