Topsoil Calculator
Fill beds and level lawns without over-ordering.
Topsoil Calculator
Volume (cu yd) = Area × (Depth in / 12) / 27; Weight = Volume × density
Calculated instantly
Embed this calculator
Put this calculator on your own site with the snippet below. The frame contains the tool only, reports its own height, and carries a visible link back to the full page. Embedding is free; keep the attribution link as it is, and do not wrap the frame in a way that hides it.
Preparing the embed code for this page...
What This Calculator Does
The Topsoil Calculator estimates how much soil a lawn, bed, or raised area needs in cubic yards, tons, and bags. It uses the same volume arithmetic as gravel or mulch, with a density suited to moist soil.
How It Works
Area multiplied by depth in feet gives cubic feet. Dividing by 27 converts to cubic yards, the unit used for bulk soil delivery. Multiplying by bulk density gives tons, and dividing cubic feet by bag volume gives the bag count.
Example
A 300 sq ft bed at 6 inches deep needs 150 cubic feet, or 5.56 cubic yards. At 1.1 tons per cubic yard that is 6.11 tons, or 200 bags at 0.75 cubic feet each.
Formula
Cubic yards = Area (sq ft) × (Depth in / 12) / 27Tons = Cubic yards × bulk densityBags = ceil(Cubic feet / bag volume)Reading the Results
Volume
Loose soil volume in cubic yards. Bulk deliveries are usually quoted this way.
Weight
Tonnage at the density you entered. Wet soil is heavier, so leave margin if the delivery is priced by weight.
Sources and References
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service — soil bulk density
Bulk density varies with texture, organic matter, and moisture
NRCS soil surveys give local bulk density; use the supplier figure for delivered topsoil.
References identify the method or data behind this calculator. Where a standard or tariff changes, the current edition applies, and the assumptions stated above take precedence over a remembered figure.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much topsoil do I need for a lawn?
A thin overseeding layer is about 0.25–0.5 inches; levelling a uneven lawn usually needs 1–2 inches. Multiply area by depth in feet and divide by 27 for cubic yards.
How many tons is a cubic yard of topsoil?
Usually about 1.0–1.3 tons, depending on moisture and clay content. This calculator defaults to 1.1 tons per cubic yard.
Is bagged topsoil the same as bulk?
Bagged products are often screened and blended, and sold by volume rather than weight. Bulk is cheaper for large areas, but quality varies, so inspect it before it is tipped.
How much does topsoil settle?
Loose fill settles by roughly 10–20% after watering and rainfall. Order at the upper end of the estimate if the finished level matters.