Topsoil Calculator
Enter your lawn, garden bed, or fill-area dimensions and desired depth to find out how many cubic yards — or bags — of topsoil to order.
Results
- Cubic yards
- 0.93 yd³
- Cubic feet
- 25.0 ft³
- Weight
- 0.97 tons
- Bags
- 34 × 0.75 cu ft bag
Assumed density: 2100 lb/yd³ (Topsoil)
How it works
Measure your area in feet. For irregular shapes, break them into rectangles and add up their volumes.
For new lawn establishment, 4–6 inches of topsoil is typical. For raised beds, 8–12 inches.
Use cubic yards for bulk delivery, or use the bag count when you are buying 0.75 cu ft topsoil bags from a garden center.
Reference chart
Topsoil coverage at common depths (1 cubic yard = 27 cu ft)
| Depth (in) | Coverage (sq ft) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 324 |
| 2 | 162 |
| 4 | 81 |
| 6 | 54 |
| 12 | 27 |
Topsoil vs dirt: when to use each
Use screened topsoil for the top layer where grass, sod, or planting beds need organic matter and finer texture. Use cheaper fill dirt for deep grading, large low spots, or structural backfill where plants will not root directly in the material.
For a new lawn, many projects use fill dirt for bulk shaping first, then finish with 4–6 inches of topsoil before seed or sod. That keeps the top layer plant-friendly without paying topsoil prices for the entire fill volume.
Cubic yards of topsoil by area and depth
These topsoil estimates use area × depth ÷ 324. They are for soil or topsoil orders, not a generic cubic-yard conversion table.
Topsoil cubic yards by lawn or bed size
| Area | 1 in depth | 2 in depth | 4 in depth | 6 in depth |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 sq ft | 0.31 yd³ | 0.62 yd³ | 1.23 yd³ | 1.85 yd³ |
| 250 sq ft | 0.77 yd³ | 1.54 yd³ | 3.09 yd³ | 4.63 yd³ |
| 500 sq ft | 1.54 yd³ | 3.09 yd³ | 6.17 yd³ | 9.26 yd³ |
| 1,000 sq ft | 3.09 yd³ | 6.17 yd³ | 12.35 yd³ | 18.52 yd³ |
Frequently asked questions
How many cubic yards of topsoil do I need for a 10×10 ft raised bed, 8 inches deep?
10 × 10 × (8/12) = 66.7 cu ft ÷ 27 = 2.47 cubic yards. Order 2.5 yards.
How many 40 lb bags of topsoil equal a cubic yard?
A 40 lb bag is roughly 0.75 cu ft. One cubic yard (27 cu ft) ÷ 0.75 = 36 bags.
How do I calculate yards of topsoil for a lawn?
Multiply lawn square feet by depth in inches, then divide by 12 to get cubic feet and by 27 to get cubic yards. For example, 1,000 sq ft at 2 inches deep is 6.17 cubic yards.
Is a yard of dirt the same as a yard of topsoil?
A cubic yard is the same volume either way: 27 cubic feet. The difference is material quality and use case — fill dirt is usually for grading, while screened topsoil is better for the growing layer.
How much does a yard of topsoil weigh?
This calculator uses 2,100 lb per cubic yard as a working topsoil estimate. Dry screened topsoil can be lighter and wet topsoil can be heavier, so use your supplier's weight if they provide one.
Can I use topsoil as garden soil?
Pure topsoil is dense and may drain poorly. Mix with compost (30–50%) for raised beds and vegetable gardens.
Link to this calculator
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<a href="https://diymaterialcalculators.com/topsoil/">Topsoil Calculator</a> — free online calculator