How to calculate topsoil
Topsoil is sold by volume — in cubic yards for bulk delivery, or in bags for smaller jobs. To find how much you need:
Cubic yards = area (sq ft) × depth (ft) ÷ 27
Depth is usually measured in inches, so divide it by 12 first to convert to feet. This calculator does that for you, then shows the volume in cubic yards, cubic feet, bags, and an approximate weight so you can plan delivery.
How much topsoil do you need? (by use)
| Project | Typical depth |
|---|---|
| Top-dressing / leveling a lawn | ¼–½ in |
| New lawn over existing soil | 2–4 in |
| Garden & planting beds | 6–12 in |
| Raised beds (fill depth) | 8–12 in |
Topsoil weight & delivery
Topsoil is heavy. A cubic yard of screened topsoil weighs about 2,000–2,700 lb (1–1.35 tons), and more when it's wet. That matters for delivery and hauling:
- Pickup trucks are limited. A half-ton pickup should carry only about ½ cubic yard of soil at a time — roughly one ton.
- Bulk beats bags for big jobs. Past about 1 cubic yard (around 36 of the 0.75 cu ft bags), bulk delivery is usually cheaper and far less work.
- Order a little extra. Fresh topsoil settles and compacts when watered, so adding roughly 10% covers settling and uneven ground.
Topsoil vs. garden soil vs. fill dirt
- Topsoil — the screened upper layer of soil, good for new lawns, leveling, and grading.
- Garden soil — topsoil blended with compost and nutrients, meant for planting beds.
- Fill dirt — subsoil with little organic matter, used to fill large volumes or build up grade under structures.