Topsoil Calculator
✓ Your estimate
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Cubic Yards
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Cubic Feet
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1.5 cu ft Bags
⚠ Add 10-15% for settling -- topsoil compacts after watering and over time. Confirm final quantities with your landscape supplier.
What the Result Means
Topsoil is sold in bags (1-2 cubic feet) at home improvement stores or in cubic yards for bulk delivery. For any project over 2 cubic yards, bulk delivery is almost always cheaper.
After adding topsoil to a bed, finish the surface with mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds -- the mulch calculator. If you are laying sod after grading, the sod calculator estimates rolls and pallets handles that estimate. If the area has drainage issues, the gravel calculator can help size a drainage base. All outdoor tools are at the outdoor calculators page.
How Much Topsoil Do You Need?
Lawn Leveling
1-2 inches
Filling low spots, evening out an existing lawn surface
New Lawn
4-6 inches
Establishing grass seed or sod on bare or compacted ground
Garden Bed
6-8 inches
Vegetables, flowers, and most garden plantings
Raised Bed
8-12 inches
Raised bed frames -- often blended 60/40 with compost
How the Calculation Works
Cubic Feet = Length x Width x (Depth / 12)
Cubic Yards = Cubic Feet / 27
Bags = Cubic Feet / Bag Size (cu ft)
Add 10-15% for settling -- topsoil compresses after watering
Worked Example
Example: 40 ft x 20 ft new lawn area, 4 inches deep
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Convert depth: 4 / 12 = 0.333 feet
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Cubic feet: 40 x 20 x 0.333 = 266 cubic feet
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Cubic yards: 266 / 27 = 9.85 cubic yards
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Add 15% settling: order 11.3 cubic yards -- round up to 12 yards
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At 12 yards, bulk delivery is essential -- bagging this volume costs 3-4x more
Ordering Notes
Assumptions Used by This Calculator
- Area is calculated as length x width in feet.
- Depth is entered in inches and divided by 12 to convert to feet.
- Volume is calculated as area x depth (in feet).
- Cubic feet are divided by 27 to get cubic yards.
- Bag counts are based on the selected bag size (1, 1.5, or 2 cubic feet).
- A 10-15% settling buffer is recommended but not automatically included -- add it manually before ordering.
- Actual quantity varies by soil type, moisture content, and grading requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much topsoil do I need for a lawn?
For a new lawn, you need 4-6 inches of topsoil. At 4 inches deep, 1 cubic yard covers about 81 sq ft. At 6 inches deep, 1 cubic yard covers about 54 sq ft. Always add 15% for settling and confirm quantities with your supplier.
How deep should topsoil be for grass?
Grass roots need at least 4 inches of good topsoil. 6 inches is better for a healthy lawn that handles drought and heavy traffic. For overseeding bare patches in an existing lawn, 2 inches of topsoil is typically sufficient.
How much does topsoil settle?
Topsoil typically settles 10-15% after the first few waterings and over the first growing season. Always order 10-15% more than your calculated amount to account for this -- running short after installation means a second delivery.
How many bags of topsoil are in a cubic yard?
One cubic yard equals 27 cubic feet. A 1.5 cu ft bag requires 18 bags per cubic yard. A 2 cu ft bag requires about 14 bags per yard. For anything over 2 cubic yards, bulk delivery is almost always cheaper than bags.
Is topsoil sold by weight or volume?
Topsoil is sold by volume -- cubic yards for bulk delivery, cubic feet for bags. However, some suppliers quote delivery pricing by the ton. A cubic yard of topsoil weighs approximately 1,080 to 1,800 lbs depending on moisture content.
What is the difference between topsoil and garden soil?
Topsoil is the natural upper soil layer used for grading, leveling, and establishing lawns. Garden soil (or potting blends) is enriched with compost and amendments for growing plants. For raised beds and vegetable gardens, a 60/40 mix of topsoil and compost gives better results than either alone.
How deep should topsoil be for a vegetable garden?
Vegetables need at least 6 inches of good topsoil -- 8-12 inches is better for root vegetables like carrots and beets. Raised beds are ideal because you control the depth and soil quality. Fill with a 60/40 blend of topsoil and compost for best results.
Disclaimer: This calculator provides estimates only. Actual quantities depend on soil type, settling rate, and site conditions. Verify all quantities with your landscape supplier before ordering. See all outdoor material calculators.