Topsoil Calculator
Estimate cubic yards of topsoil needed for a bed or lawn.
Results update as you type.
How it works
A topsoil calculator works out how much soil you need to fill a raised bed, top-dress a lawn, level a low spot or start a new garden, and reports it in both the cubic yards suppliers deliver by and the cubic feet bagged soil is sold in. You enter the length and width of the area and the depth of soil you want to add, and the tool multiplies them into a volume, converting the depth from inches to feet so every dimension shares one scale, then divides by 27 to reach cubic yards. Soil is handled by volume because it is a loose, bulky material bought either in bags or by the truckload rather than in tidy units. Getting the depth right matters agriculturally as well as financially: most vegetables and lawns want a good depth of loose, workable soil for roots, while too shallow a layer dries out and starves plants. Because soil settles noticeably after it is spread and watered, and always scatters a little during the work, it is wise to round the area up and add a small margin so the finished, settled depth still meets your target. Bulk delivery by the cubic yard is far cheaper for large projects, while bags suit small beds and easy handling. The length-times-width-times-depth method is standard practice because a layer of topsoil is simply a shallow rectangular volume. Gardeners, landscapers and homeowners rely on it to price a delivery and avoid the second trip that a short order forces.
Volume (ft³) = length × width × (depth ÷ 12); yd³ = ft³ ÷ 27
Length times width gives the ground area the topsoil will cover in square feet, and multiplying by depth turns that flat area into a three-dimensional volume. Depth is divided by 12 first because it is entered in inches while length and width are in feet, so all three dimensions share one unit before they are multiplied. The result is the volume in cubic feet, which suits small bagged purchases. Dividing that figure by 27 converts to cubic yards, because one cubic yard contains 27 cubic feet, and cubic yards are the unit bulk topsoil suppliers quote and trucks are loaded by.
Source:Standard construction estimation
We review all our tools from time to time to ensure accuracy.
Worked example
How to use this calculator
- 1
Enter your values
Enter length, width and depth.
- 2
Adjust the options
Fine-tune any options to match your situation.
- 3
Read your result
Topsoil needed updates instantly as you type — no button to press.
Frequently asked questions
How many cubic feet are in a cubic yard of topsoil?
There are 27 cubic feet in a cubic yard, because a cubic yard is a cube three feet on each side and three times three times three equals twenty-seven. That is why the calculator divides the cubic-feet volume by 27 to reach cubic yards. Since a common bag of topsoil holds three-quarters or one cubic foot, a single cubic yard equals dozens of bags, which is why bulk delivery is much cheaper for large areas.
How deep should topsoil be?
It depends on the use. Top-dressing an existing lawn needs only a quarter to half an inch, while establishing a new lawn wants three to six inches of good soil. Raised beds and vegetable gardens benefit from a deeper layer, often eight to twelve inches, so roots have loose soil to grow into. Depth drives the volume directly in the formula, so every extra inch adds noticeable material and cost.
Should I order extra topsoil for settling?
Yes. Freshly delivered topsoil is fluffy and loose, and it compacts as it is spread, watered and walked on, so the settled depth ends up less than the loose depth you place. Adding roughly five to ten percent, or simply rounding your area and depth up, means the finished grade still meets your target. Soil is easy to spread thinly over a lawn or bank up in a bed, so a small surplus is rarely wasted.
How much does a cubic yard of topsoil weigh?
A cubic yard of topsoil typically weighs around 1,800 to 2,200 pounds, roughly one ton, though wet soil and soil heavy with clay or sand weigh more, while dry, screened compost-rich soil weighs less. Weight matters for transport, since a small trailer or pickup can safely carry only part of a cubic yard. Ask your supplier for the weight of their specific product if you are hauling it yourself.
Is bagged or bulk topsoil cheaper?
Bulk topsoil delivered by the cubic yard is almost always cheaper per unit volume than bagged soil, because you avoid paying for packaging and bagging labour. The trade-off is a delivery fee and a pile you must barrow and spread yourself. For a small raised bed a few bags are easier to handle and transport, while filling several beds or topping a lawn strongly favours a bulk load once you pass roughly one cubic yard.