Topsoil Calculator
To find how much topsoil you need, multiply the area by the depth and divide by 27 for cubic yards. One cubic yard of topsoil weighs roughly 2,200 lb (about 1.1 tons) when moist, though that varies with composition and moisture.
1-2 in to top-dress a lawn, 3-6 in for new beds, more to fill a raised bed.
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Enter your measurements above to see how much topsoil you need.
How much depth do you need?
For top-dressing or leveling a lawn, 1 to 2 inches is plenty. For new planting beds, plan on 3 to 6 inches of good soil. To fill a raised bed, measure the inside depth of the box.
Measure length and width in feet, choose your depth, and the calculator returns cubic yards plus the number of bags for the bag size you pick.
Weight and delivery
Topsoil is heavy. A single cubic yard runs roughly 2,000 to 2,700 lb depending on how wet it is, so check your vehicle or trailer rating before hauling bulk soil yourself.
Bagged topsoil is convenient for small jobs and raised beds; bulk by the cubic yard is far cheaper once you need more than about 10 to 12 bags.
Topsoil coverage chart
One cubic yard = 27 cubic feet. Coverage = volume / depth.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a yard of topsoil weigh?
Roughly 2,000 to 2,700 pounds (about 1 to 1.35 tons), depending on moisture and how much sand, silt, or clay it contains. Wet soil weighs more.
How many bags of topsoil in a cubic yard?
It depends on bag size. With 0.75 cu ft bags it is 36 per cubic yard; with 1 cu ft bags it is 27; with 1.5 cu ft bags it is 18.
How deep should topsoil be for a new lawn?
Aim for 4 to 6 inches of quality topsoil for new turf or seed; 1 to 2 inches is enough to top-dress an existing lawn.
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