Topsoil Calculator
Estimate how much topsoil you need by area and depth — plus bags and total cost. Switch between imperial and metric units.
Topsoil Calculator
Estimate how much you need — and the cost.
- cubic feet 33.33
- cubic meters 0.944
- tons (US) 1.3
- tonnes 1.18
Quick coverage reference
1 cubic yard covers about 324 sq ft at 1 in / about 81 sq ft at 4 in deep; about 1.05 US tons per cubic yard.
How it's calculated
- Screened topsoil bulk density is about 2000–2200 lb/cu yd (about 1.0–1.1 US tons/cu yd); higher moisture adds noticeable weight. We use the midpoint 2100.
- New lawn / grass-seed base: 4–6 in; leveling or top-dressing: 2–3 in; raised beds: 6–12 in.
Source: inchcalculator.com/topsoil-calculator/ (density & coverage figures cross-checked)
How much topsoil do I need?
Topsoil is sold by volume (cubic yards in bulk, or bags around 0.75 cu ft) and sometimes by weight. The quantity you need is the area you're covering multiplied by how deep you want the soil.
Use cubic yards = area (sq ft) × depth (in) ÷ 324. One cubic yard covers about 81 sq ft at a 4-inch depth, the usual amount for a new lawn or garden bed. Screened topsoil weighs roughly 1 short ton (about 2,100 lb) per cubic yard, which the calculator also reports so you can compare bulk pricing by the ton.
How to measure for topsoil
Measure the area
Length × width in feet. Split lawns or beds into rectangles and total them.
Pick a depth
4–6 inches for new lawns and beds, 2–3 inches for top-dressing or levelling, more for raised beds.
Get yards and tons
The calculator shows cubic yards plus the equivalent weight in tons, handy because suppliers price topsoil both ways.
Account for compaction
Loose soil settles once watered. Order a little extra, especially when filling depth rather than just dressing the surface.
Topsoil depth & buying tips
Seeding a lawn needs 4–6 inches of good soil for roots. Simply levelling low spots may only need 2–3 inches.
A single cubic yard weighs around a ton — confirm your vehicle or delivery can handle the load before ordering bulk.
Screened topsoil is cleaner and easier to spread for planting; cheaper fill soil suits raising grade where quality matters less.
Topsoil calculator FAQ
How much does a cubic yard of topsoil weigh?
Screened topsoil weighs roughly 2,000–2,200 lb per cubic yard — about one short ton. Moisture raises the weight noticeably.
How much does a yard of topsoil cover?
One cubic yard covers about 162 sq ft at 2 inches deep, 108 sq ft at 3 inches, or 81 sq ft at 4 inches.
How deep should topsoil be for grass?
For a new lawn, aim for 4–6 inches of topsoil so grass roots have room to establish.
How many bags of topsoil make a cubic yard?
At the common 0.75 cu ft bag size, a cubic yard (27 cu ft) is about 36 bags — which is why bulk is far cheaper for big jobs.
Is topsoil sold by weight or volume?
Both. Bulk topsoil is usually priced by the cubic yard, but some suppliers sell by the ton. The calculator gives you both figures.