This topsoil calculator turns the size of your lawn or garden bed and the depth you want into cubic yards, tons and bags of topsoil, with an allowance for settling.
Last updated
12.35 yd³ of soil, or 13.58 yd³ with a 10% settling allowance. That weighs about 14.94 short tons at 2,200 lb per cubic yard, or 367 bags of 1 cubic foot.
Topsoil needed, including waste
8.15 cubic yards
Inputs
Results are estimates for planning only. Supplier specifications, product yields, site conditions and local codes vary. Confirm quantities with your supplier or a qualified professional before you buy or build.
Rectangle, length 30 ft, width 20 ft, depth 4 in, soil density 2200 lb/yd³, bag size 1 ft³.
Topsoil needed, including waste
8.15 cubic yards
Known area, area 55 m², depth 10 cm, soil density 1300 kg/m³, bag size 30 L.
Topsoil needed, including waste
6.05 cubic metres
Rectangle, length 8 ft, width 4 ft, depth 12 in, soil density 2200 lb/yd³, bag size 1 ft³.
Topsoil needed, including waste
1.30 cubic yards
Known area, area 1000 ft², depth 4 in, soil density 2200 lb/yd³, bag size 1 ft³.
Topsoil needed, including waste
13.58 cubic yards
Before a settling allowance. Weight at 2,200 lb per cubic yard (about 1.1 short tons).
| Depth | Area covered by 1 yd³ | Yards per 1,000 sq ft | Tons per 1,000 sq ft |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 in | 324 sq ft | 3.09 | 3.40 |
| 2 in | 162 sq ft | 6.17 | 6.79 |
| 4 in | 81 sq ft | 12.35 | 13.58 |
| 6 in | 54 sq ft | 18.52 | 20.37 |
| 8 in | 41 sq ft | 24.69 | 27.16 |
| 12 in | 27 sq ft | 37.04 | 40.74 |
Depth decides the quantity. A new lawn is commonly laid on about 4–6 inches of topsoil, a thin top-dressing on an existing lawn uses far less, and raised beds are often 8–12 inches or deeper. Pick the depth for your job first, then let the calculator do the rest.
Soil settles after it is spread and watered, so a 10% allowance is a sensible start. Bulk soil is sold by volume or by weight depending on the supplier, and its weight changes with moisture, so ask which they use. For the volume maths on its own, see the cubic yard calculator, and for bark or compost on top, the mulch calculator.
Loosen the surface before you spread topsoil. Laying new soil over hard, compacted ground can leave a barrier that roots and water struggle to cross. Remove weeds and stones, rake the area level, and spread in one even layer to the depth you planned. Then water it to help it settle and check for low spots.
1,000 square feet at 4 inches is 12.35 cubic yards. With a 10% settling allowance it is about 13.6 cubic yards, which weighs roughly 15 short tons at 2,200 lb per cubic yard.
A cubic yard is 27 cubic feet, so 27 bags of 1 cubic foot, or 36 bags of 0.75 cubic foot. Bulk delivery is usually cheaper for more than a few bags.
About 4–6 inches (10–15 cm) is a common recommendation. For top-dressing an existing lawn, much less is used. Follow your seed or turf supplier's advice.
Both. Ask your supplier, and check the density they assume, because soil weight varies with moisture.
Multiply length × width × depth in feet. An 8 × 4 ft bed filled 12 inches deep needs 32 cubic feet, or 35.2 with a 10% settling allowance, which is 36 bags of 1 cubic foot.
Yes. Soil compresses once it is watered, so about 10% extra avoids a shortfall.
Run a blog, a contractor site or a store? Embed the topsoil calculator with one snippet. It's free, has no ads and resizes itself.
Get the embed codeResults are estimates for planning only. Supplier specifications, product yields, site conditions and local codes vary. Confirm quantities with your supplier or a qualified professional before you buy or build.