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Topsoil Calculator

Whether you're seeding a new lawn, filling raised beds or levelling a yard, enter the area and depth and get topsoil in bags or bulk cubic yards, with the approximate delivery weight, too.

Diagram of a bed of material such as mulch or gravel, showing the area and the depth of the layer
A bed of material is just a shallow box: area × depth, then bags or bulk yards.

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Enter your measurements

How the topsoil quantity is calculated

Volume is area × depth (depth converted from inches to feet). One cubic yard is 27 cu ft. Bagged topsoil is sold by labelled volume: the standard 40 lb bag holds about 0.75 cu ft (so 36 bags make a cubic yard), and 1 cu ft and 1.5 cu ft bags are also common. Pick the size printed on your bag.

Depths that work: 2 in to top up and level an existing lawn, 4–6 in under new seed or sod, and raised beds filled to within a couple of inches of the rim. Soil settles and compacts after watering. The extra allowance covers that drop.

Weight is shown as a guide for delivery and trailer decisions: a cubic yard of topsoil weighs roughly 2,000–2,400 lb depending on moisture (about 1.1 tons at typical moisture). Wet soil after rain is noticeably heavier. Don't overload a small trailer. Topping the beds with mulch afterwards? The Mulch Calculator uses the same area and depth.

Worked examples

30 × 20 ft new lawn, 2 in deep

100 cu ft in 0.75 cu ft (40 lb) bags, or 3.70 cu yd bulk.

Buy 134 bags

10 × 4 ft raised bed, 6 in deep

20 cu ft, 10% extra for settling, 1 cu ft bags.

Buy 22 bags

1,000 sq ft garden, 3 in deep

250 cu ft in standard 40 lb (0.75 cu ft) bags. At this size bulk delivery wins by a wide margin.

Buy 334 × 40 lb bags (9.26 cu yd)

Frequently asked questions

How much topsoil do I need for a new lawn?
Spread 4–6 in under new seed or sod. For 1,000 sq ft at 4 in that's about 12.3 cu yd. For overseeding or levelling an existing lawn, 1–2 in is plenty. 1,000 sq ft at 2 in is about 6.2 cu yd, or 3.70 cu yd per 600 sq ft as in the example above.
How many bags of topsoil are in a cubic yard?
36 of the standard 40 lb (0.75 cu ft) bags, 27 of the 1 cu ft bags, or 18 of the 1.5 cu ft bags. A cubic yard is 27 cu ft. Divide 27 by the volume printed on the bag.
How much does a cubic yard of topsoil weigh?
Roughly 2,000 lb (1.0 ton) dry and up to about 2,400 lb (1.2 tons) with typical moisture. This calculator plans on about 1.1 tons. That is why bulk topsoil is delivered in dump trucks, and why a half-ton pickup shouldn't carry a full yard.
How deep should topsoil be for grass to grow well?
Grass roots need at least 4 in of decent soil; 6 in is better where the subsoil is clay, rubble or heavily compacted. More depth matters more than expensive soil. Roots stop where the good soil stops.
Should I add extra for settling?
Yes. Loose soil compacts 10–20% after watering and rain. The calculator's extra allowance (10% is a sensible default for beds and lawns) keeps the finished level where you planned it.

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Estimate disclaimer: results are planning estimates based on standard manufacturer yields and coverage figures. Site conditions, product choice and installation method change actual quantities. Verify before you buy, and follow local building code for structural work. This tool does not replace professional engineering advice.

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