Topsoil Calculator
A new lawn, a set of raised beds or a garden that needs fresh soil — topsoil is where good projects start. This topsoil calculator converts your area and depth into cubic yards, tons and bags, so the delivery truck brings enough in one trip instead of leaving you two wheelbarrows short.
Topsoil weighs about 2,200 lb per cubic yard and settles after watering, which catches many people out. Enter your measurements below and the calculator shows the volume, the weight, the 1.5 cu ft bag count and the cost together, with an allowance built into the suggested order amount.
Use this if you already know the square footage — for example from a listing, a plan, or a measuring app.
Most mulch and topsoil beds need 2–3 inches; gravel driveways 4–6 inches.
The material sets the weight and bag estimate — densities are typical averages.
Most rocks and soils fall between 2,200 and 3,000 lb per cubic yard.
Add your supplier’s price to see the estimated total cost.
Order tip: add 5–10% extra for waste, spillage and compaction — material settles once it is spread and rained on. The suggested order amount above already includes a 10% allowance, rounded up to the nearest half yard.
How to Calculate Topsoil in Cubic Yards
The topsoil calculator runs the same steps for you — here is the formula:
Cubic yards = (length in feet × width in feet × depth in feet) ÷ 27
Convert a depth in inches to feet by dividing by 12. Worked example — filling a raised bed 8 ft long by 4 ft wide, 12 inches deep:
- Convert the depth: 12 in ÷ 12 = 1 ft
- Multiply the volume: 8 ft × 4 ft × 1 ft = 32 cubic feet
- Convert to yards: 32 ÷ 27 = 1.19 cubic yards
- In bags: 32 cu ft ÷ 1.5 cu ft per bag = 22 bags
- Weight: 1.19 yd³ × 2,200 lb = about 2,610 lb, or 1.3 tons
Raised beds settle noticeably after the first few waterings, so that 1.19 yards is a minimum — the suggested order rounds it up, and a spare bag or two beats a second delivery fee.
Topsoil Bags per Cubic Yard
Bagged topsoil is typically sold in 1.5 cu ft bags. A cubic yard holds 27 cubic feet, so one yard equals 18 bags — and the calculator counts them from your exact measurements:
| Cubic yards | Bags (1.5 cu ft) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 18 |
| 2 | 36 |
| 3 | 54 |
| 5 | 90 |
| 10 | 180 |
Bags are the right call for one raised bed or patching bare spots. For a lawn project measured in thousands of square feet, bulk topsoil by the yard costs a fraction of the bagged price and arrives in one pile.
How Much Does a Cubic Yard of Topsoil Weigh?
A cubic yard of topsoil weighs about 2,200 lb, or 1.1 tons. Moisture swings the figure more than for any other soil: dry, screened topsoil can be a little lighter, while a rain-soaked yard can approach 2,700 lb.
That is why suppliers sell topsoil by the yard but think in tons for the truck — and why a half-ton pickup is at its practical limit with about one yard in the bed, however easy the loader makes it look. The topsoil calculator yards figure is what you order; the tons figure is what the truck cares about.
Topsoil Depth Guide for Lawns and Raised Beds
For garden beds, work in 2–3 inches of fresh topsoil to rebuild tired soil. A brand-new lawn wants more: 4–6 inches of topsoil over the graded subsoil gives grass roots the depth they need, while a thin topdressing of ¼–½ inch is the fix for minor bumps in an existing lawn.
Raised beds are filled deep — usually to within 2–3 inches of the rim, leaving headroom for mulch and for the settling that follows the first waterings. A common and effective fill is mostly topsoil with a compost portion mixed in; plain topsoil alone can be low in nutrients for vegetables in the first season.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many bags of topsoil are in a cubic yard?
With the usual 1.5 cu ft bags, one cubic yard holds 18 bags. If your store stocks 1 cu ft bags instead, the same yard takes 27 — check the bag size on the label before buying.
How much topsoil do I need for a new lawn?
At 4 inches deep, a 1,000 sq ft lawn needs about 12.3 cubic yards (1,000 × ⅓ ft ÷ 27). At 6 inches, plan on roughly 18.5 yards — plus a 10% allowance for settling.
How much area does a cubic yard of topsoil cover?
About 162 sq ft at 2 inches, 108 sq ft at 3 inches and 54 sq ft at 6 inches.
What is the difference between topsoil and garden soil?
Topsoil is the screened top layer taken from a field, sold loose by the yard or in bags. Garden soil is topsoil that has already been amended with compost and nutrients; it’s richer and more expensive, and mostly sold in bags for smaller jobs.
More calculators
Layering the whole project? Grade and fill first with the dirt calculator, finish the beds with the mulch calculator, or use our main calculator for paths, drainage and everything in between.