Topsoil Calculator
Calculate how much topsoil you need for a lawn, garden bed or raised bed in cubic yards, tons and bags, with estimated cost.
- Cubic yards
- 1.36
- Tons
- 1.49
- Cubic feet
- 36.7
- Area
- 100 sq ft
Bulk cost
$48
Before delivery and tax
Bagged
49 bags · $172
Advanced: material density
Default price is a typical U.S. figure ($15–$60 per cubic yard), reviewed November 2026. Prices vary by region; enter your supplier's price for an exact total.
Topsoil settles after it is spread and watered, so order about 10% more than the measured volume. This calculator adds that allowance by default.
Screened topsoil weighs about 1.1 tons per cubic yard when dry and more when wet, which matters if you are hauling it yourself in a pickup.
How to calculate how much topsoil you need
- Measure the length and width of the area in feet.
- Decide on depth in inches (see the depth guide below).
- Multiply length × width to get square feet.
- Multiply by depth ÷ 12 to get cubic feet, then divide by 27 for cubic yards.
Cubic yards = length × width × depth (in) ÷ 12 ÷ 27, plus 10% for settling.
Recommended topsoil depth
| Project | Depth |
|---|---|
| Overseeding a lawn | 0.25–0.5 in |
| New lawn | 4–6 in |
| Garden bed | 6–8 in |
| Raised bed | full bed height |
How much topsoil for common project sizes
Cubic yards needed before any waste allowance.
| Area | 2 in deep | 3 in deep | 4 in deep | 6 in deep |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 × 10 ft | 0.62 yd³ | 0.93 yd³ | 1.23 yd³ | 1.85 yd³ |
| 10 × 20 ft | 1.23 yd³ | 1.85 yd³ | 2.47 yd³ | 3.7 yd³ |
| 12 × 12 ft | 0.89 yd³ | 1.33 yd³ | 1.78 yd³ | 2.67 yd³ |
| 20 × 20 ft | 2.47 yd³ | 3.7 yd³ | 4.94 yd³ | 7.41 yd³ |
| 12 × 50 ft (driveway) | 3.7 yd³ | 5.56 yd³ | 7.41 yd³ | 11.11 yd³ |
| 500 sq ft | 3.09 yd³ | 4.63 yd³ | 6.17 yd³ | 9.26 yd³ |
| 1,000 sq ft | 6.17 yd³ | 9.26 yd³ | 12.35 yd³ | 18.52 yd³ |
Tips before you order
- A half-ton pickup can safely carry about half a yard of topsoil.
- For raised beds, a mix of topsoil and compost works better than topsoil alone.
Frequently asked questions
How many bags of topsoil are in a yard?
27 bags of 1 cubic foot, or 36 bags of 0.75 cubic feet.
How much does a yard of topsoil weigh?
Roughly 2,000 to 2,700 pounds depending on moisture.
How much topsoil do I need for a new lawn?
Plan on 4 to 6 inches. That is about 1.23 to 1.85 cubic yards per 100 square feet.