Topsoil Calculator
Calculate how much topsoil you need for a lawn, garden or raised bed in cubic yards, tons and bags.
Free · No sign-up · Runs in your browser · Last reviewed November 2026
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About the Topsoil Calculator
Whether you are leveling a lawn, filling raised beds or starting a new garden, ordering the right amount of topsoil saves trips and money. This topsoil calculator converts area and depth into cubic yards, estimated tons and 0.75 cubic foot bags, and adds a 10% allowance for settling.
How to use it
- Enter the length and width of the area in feet.
- Enter the depth in inches and the bulk price per cubic yard.
- Press Calculate topsoil for cubic yards, tons, bags and cost.
Topsoil formula
Cubic yards = length × width × depth in inches ÷ 12 ÷ 27. A 30 × 15 ft area at 4 inches deep is 150 cubic feet, or 5.56 cubic yards.
Recommended topsoil depth
| Project | Depth |
|---|---|
| New lawn from seed or sod | 4 to 6 inches |
| Lawn top-dressing | 0.25 to 0.5 inch |
| Garden beds | 6 to 12 inches |
| Raised beds | Fill to within 1 inch of the top |
Buying tips
- Bulk topsoil is far cheaper per cubic yard than bagged.
- Ask for screened topsoil with low rock and debris content.
- Moist soil weighs more, so confirm whether the supplier sells by volume or weight.
Topsoil tips for raised beds and lawn repair
Here is a different job: a 4 × 8 ft raised bed filled 12 inches deep. That is 32 cubic feet, or 1.19 cubic yards. With the 10% settling allowance you need about 1.30 yards, or 47 bags of 0.75 cubic feet. At roughly 1.2 tons per yard, a bulk delivery would weigh about 1.6 tons. A single bed is often cheaper from bags, while several beds usually favor bulk delivery.
Mistakes to avoid
- Burying existing grass too deeply. Piling several inches of soil on a lawn can smother it. Level low spots in thin layers instead.
- Using plain topsoil in containers. Raised beds do better with a blend of topsoil and compost than with heavy topsoil alone.
- Forgetting delivery access. Ask where the truck can dump and how you will move the pile.
- Ordering wet-weather soil. Soggy soil is heavy and hard to spread; a dry spell makes the job easier.
To convert any rectangular area to volume, try the cubic yard calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How much topsoil do I need for 1,000 square feet?
At 4 inches deep you need about 12.3 cubic yards.
How much does a cubic yard of topsoil weigh?
Roughly 1.0 to 1.4 tons depending on moisture, so about 1.2 tons is a common estimate.
How deep should topsoil be for grass?
Four to six inches gives lawns a healthy root zone.
How many bags of topsoil make a cubic yard?
About 36 bags of 0.75 cubic feet, since a cubic yard holds 27 cubic feet.
Is bagged or bulk topsoil cheaper?
Bulk is usually much cheaper for anything above one cubic yard.
Should I mix compost into topsoil?
For vegetable and flower beds, a common approach is about one part compost to two or three parts topsoil. This improves drainage and fertility, but it also changes the volume you need to order.
Can I put new topsoil over my existing lawn?
Only as a thin top-dressing of about a quarter to half an inch. For a deeper fill, strip the old turf or expect to reseed or re-sod afterward.
Last reviewed: November 2026.