Topsoil Calculator for Overseeding
Estimate topsoil for top-dressing a lawn when overseeding.
Top-dressing an existing lawn for overseeding uses only a thin ¼–½ inch of topsoil — just enough to cover seed without smothering the grass. The calculator starts at ½ inch. A little goes a long way over a large lawn.
Topsoil Calculator
Estimate how much you need — and the cost.
- cubic feet 4.17
- cubic meters 0.118
- tons (US) 0.16
- tonnes 0.15
Tip: Spread the topsoil thinly and rake it in so the existing grass blades still show through.
How it's calculated
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.
See the full Topsoil Calculator for the complete how-to, unit conversions, and data sources.
Topsoil Calculator for Overseeding FAQ
How much topsoil for overseeding?
Only about ¼–½ inch as a top-dressing. A 1,000 sq ft lawn at ½ inch needs roughly 1.5 cubic yards.
Should I add topsoil when overseeding?
A thin top-dressing helps seed make contact and hold moisture, but keep it light — too much buries and kills existing grass.