Topsoil Calculator
Find out how much topsoil to buy for a new bed, lawn, or raised bed — in cubic yards, bags, or bulk — plus weight, coverage, and a cost estimate.
What's "topsoil"?
Loose, nutrient-rich soil — the top layer of earth, used to fill low spots, build up garden beds, or give grass and plants something to grow in. It is dirt itself, not a decorative covering. Need a covering to spread on top of soil instead? Use the Mulch Calculator.
Bed, lawn area, or raised bed
Estimate only. These figures help you plan how much to buy — they are not engineering or structural advice. Actual needs vary with site conditions, waste, and installation method, so order a little extra and confirm final quantities with your supplier or contractor before you buy or start the job.
Popular bed sizes
Jump to a ready-made answer for a common bed.
How the topsoil calculation works
Topsoil is sold by volume, so the math is area × depth, then convert to yards or bags.
Rectangle = length × width. Round area = π × radius². Use feet.
Area (sq ft) × depth (ft) = cubic feet. Depth in inches ÷ 12 gives feet. Divide by 27 for cubic yards.
Bags = cubic feet ÷ bag size. Screened topsoil weighs ≈ 1.1 tons (2,200 lb) per cubic yard.
1 cu yd covers ~80 sq ft at 4 inches, ~160 sq ft at 2 inches, ~650 sq ft at ½ inch (top-dressing).
Sources & assumptions
Frequently asked questions
How much topsoil do I need for a 20x10 area at 4 inches?
A 20 ft × 10 ft area is 200 sq ft. At 4 inches deep that's 200 × 0.333 ft = 66.7 cubic feet, or about 2.47 cubic yards — roughly 67 bags of 1 cu ft topsoil. At this size, bulk delivery is usually cheaper than bags.
How many bags of topsoil are in a cubic yard?
A cubic yard is 27 cubic feet. For 1 cu ft bags that's 27 bags; for 1.5 cu ft bags it's 18; for 0.75 cu ft bags it's 36. Bag sizes vary by brand, so always check the label.
How much does a yard of topsoil weigh?
Screened topsoil weighs roughly 2,200 pounds — about 1.1 tons — per cubic yard for typical moist soil. Dry soil is a bit less and wet or clay-heavy soil noticeably more, so treat tonnage as an estimate.
How deep should topsoil be?
For a new lawn or bed, 4–6 inches of topsoil is typical. For top-dressing an existing lawn, a thin ¼–½ inch layer is enough. Raised beds are filled to whatever depth the bed requires.
Is bulk or bagged topsoil cheaper?
Bulk topsoil is much cheaper per cubic yard once you need more than a couple of yards, but it needs delivery or hauling. Bagged topsoil costs more per volume but is convenient for small fills and raised beds.