Topsoil calculator
Enter the area and depth to get cubic yards and tons of bulk topsoil or the number of bags for lawns, beds, and low spots.
Last updated: · Free tool by InsightSpatial
Private by design. This tool runs entirely in your browser. What you enter stays on your device. It is not uploaded to us or stored.
How it is calculated
Volume = area × depth × how many, plus the extra percentage. In US units: cubic yards = length (ft) × width (ft) × depth (in) ÷ 12 ÷ 27, because a foot is 12 inches and a cubic yard is 27 cubic feet.
Example: 20 ft × 10 ft × 4 in = 200 sq ft × 0.33 ft = 66.7 cubic feet, or 2.47 cubic yards , about 2.96 tons at 1.2 tons per cubic yard , or 67 1 cu ft bags .
Topsoil weighs about 1 to 1.4 tons per cubic yard, more when wet. Ask your supplier for theirs.
Bagged topsoil is sold by volume, often 0.75 or 1 cubic foot.
Typical depths
| Use | Depth |
|---|---|
| New lawn from seed or sod | 4 to 6 in |
| Top-dressing an existing lawn | 1/4 to 1/2 in |
| Vegetable and flower beds | 6 to 12 in |
| Raised beds | The full height of the bed |
Typical values. Loose soil settles; add 10 to 20% if you fill and compact.
Tips
- For a quarter-inch top-dressing, enter 0.25 in as the depth.
- Fill raised beds by entering the inside length, width, and height of the bed, and the number of beds.
- Measure an irregular yard with Dipper Area Measure (a free app by InsightSpatial), then choose "Known area".
Questions
How much does a cubic yard of topsoil cover?
At 4 inches deep, a cubic yard covers 81 square feet; at 6 inches, 54 square feet.
How much does a yard of topsoil weigh?
About 1 to 1.4 tons (2,000 to 2,800 pounds), more when wet.
How many bags of topsoil are in a yard?
One cubic yard is 27 cubic feet: 27 bags of 1 cu ft or 36 bags of 0.75 cu ft.