Topsoil Calculator
Calculate topsoil for lawns, raised beds and leveling in cubic yards, tons and 1 cubic foot bags.
Add this calculator to your website — get the free widget
How to Calculate
Volume = length × width × depth (in feet) ÷ 27 cubic feet per yard.
Screened topsoil weighs about 1.0–1.2 tons per cubic yard; wet soil is heavier.
For new lawns spread 4–6 inches; for top-dressing an existing lawn, ¼–½ inch.
See our methodology for how every calculator on this site is built.
Worked Example: Soil for a New Lawn
A backyard section 40 ft by 25 ft needs 4 inches of topsoil before seeding.
- Area: 40 × 25 = 1,000 ft²
- Depth in feet: 4 ÷ 12 = 0.333 ft
- Volume: 1,000 × 0.333 = 333 ft³
- Cubic yards: 333 ÷ 27 = 12.35 yd³
- Approximate weight: 12.35 × 1.1 = 13.6 tons
Since loose soil settles once it's rolled and watered, most landscapers would order 13 or 14 yards here. In bags this job would take 333 one-cubic-foot bags, which is why nobody does a lawn with bagged soil.
Topsoil per 1,000 Square Feet
| Depth | Cubic yards per 1,000 ft² | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| 1/4 in | 0.77 | Top-dressing an existing lawn |
| 1/2 in | 1.54 | Heavier top-dressing, filling thin spots |
| 2 in | 6.17 | Leveling low areas |
| 4 in | 12.35 | New lawn over poor subsoil |
| 6 in | 18.52 | New lawn, best rooting depth |
| 12 in | 37.04 | Raised beds, deep fills |
What to Check Before You Order
Screened or unscreened
Screened topsoil has been run through a mesh to remove rocks, roots and clods. It spreads much easier and is worth the few extra dollars per yard for lawns. Unscreened fill dirt is for filling holes and building up grade where nothing needs to grow on the surface.
Look at it first
"Topsoil" isn't a regulated term. One yard's topsoil is dark loam; another's is subsoil with a bit of color. If you can, go see the pile. Squeeze a damp handful: it should crumble, not form a sticky ribbon like clay or fall apart like sand. Ask whether it's been screened for weed seed or tested.
Wet soil weighs more
The 1.1 tons per yard figure is for reasonably dry soil. Soil that sat out in the rain can weigh 30% more, which matters if you're hauling it yourself or paying by the ton.
Tips for Spreading
- Have the truck dump as close to the work as it can without crossing septic fields, sprinkler lines or soft lawn.
- Spread in two passes and lightly roll between them. One thick layer hides low spots that show up after the first rain.
- Mix the first inch or two of new soil into the existing ground with a tiller. A sharp boundary between two soil types can block drainage and root growth.
- Grade away from the house. A slope of about 1/4 inch per foot for the first 10 ft is a common target.
- Seed or sod soon after spreading. Bare soil erodes and grows weeds quickly.
Rough Cost
Screened topsoil typically sells for around $25 to $55 per cubic yard in bulk, with blended garden or lawn mixes running higher. Bagged topsoil is often $2 to $5 per bag, so it only makes sense for patching or a single small bed. Delivery is usually a separate flat charge.
Sources
Common questions
Frequently Asked Questions
How much topsoil for a raised bed?
Multiply length × width × height in feet and divide by 27. A 4×8 ft bed 12 in tall needs about 1.2 yd³.
Does topsoil settle?
Yes — expect 10–20% settling, so order a little extra for fills.
Topsoil or garden soil?
Topsoil is for grading and lawns; garden soil is amended with compost for planting beds.
How much does a cubic yard of topsoil weigh?
Dry screened topsoil runs about 2,000–2,200 lb per yard. After rain it can top 2,700 lb, more than most half-ton pickups should carry.
Can I put topsoil over existing grass?
For top-dressing, yes, up to about 1/2 inch so the grass can grow through. Anything thicker smothers the lawn; strip or kill the sod first.