How to calculate topsoil
Example: a 30 ft × 20 ft lawn area with 4 inches of new topsoil is 600 × 4 ÷ 12 = 200 cubic feet, or 7.4 cubic yards. At roughly 1 ton per cubic yard (dry), that is about 7.4 tons.
How deep should topsoil be?
| Project | Typical depth |
|---|---|
| Top dressing an existing lawn | ¼–½ in |
| Overseeding / filling low spots | 1–2 in |
| New lawn (seed or sod) | 4–6 in |
| Flower beds | 8–12 in |
| Vegetable raised beds | 12–18 in |
Why add extra?
Loose soil settles and compacts after it is spread and watered — often by 10–20%. The calculator adds 10% by default. For deep fills or raised beds you may want 15–20%.
Tons or cubic yards?
Some yards sell soil by the ton rather than by the yard. Dry screened topsoil weighs about 2,000 lb (1 US ton) per cubic yard; wet soil can be 2,400 lb or more. Switch the price unit to "per ton" in the Cost section if that is how your supplier prices it.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cubic yard of topsoil weigh?
About 2,000 lb (1 US ton) when dry and up to 2,400–2,700 lb when wet.
How many bags of topsoil make a cubic yard?
About 36 bags of 0.75 cu ft, or 27 bags of 1 cu ft.
How much area does a yard of topsoil cover?
About 324 sq ft at 1 inch, 81 sq ft at 4 inches and 54 sq ft at 6 inches.
Topsoil vs. garden soil — which do I need?
Topsoil is for filling, leveling and lawns. Garden soil or raised-bed mix has added organic matter and is better for planting beds.
Related calculators
These figures are estimates for planning only. Material weights and coverage vary by supplier, moisture and compaction. Always confirm quantities and prices with your supplier before ordering. See our terms & disclaimer.