Topsoil Calculator

How much topsoil do I need? Enter area and depth for instant cubic yards, tons, bags, wheelbarrow loads, and truckloads for lawns, beds, and landscaping.

Lawn: 2-3 in · Flower bed: 6-8 in · Veg bed: 8-12 in

Typical screened topsoil: 1,000-1,400 kg/m³.

Topsoil Calculator: Cubic Yards, Tons & Coverage Guide

This calculator estimates topsoil volume and weight for lawns, garden beds, raised beds, and landscaping projects. Enter your area dimensions and depth to get cubic yards, tonnes, bag count, wheelbarrow loads, and truckloads instantly.

Topsoil coverage quick reference

Depth1 cubic yard coversPer 500 sq ft areaPer 1,000 sq ft area
1 inch324 sq ft1.54 yd³3.09 yd³
2 inches (new lawn)162 sq ft3.09 yd³6.17 yd³
3 inches (lawn leveling)108 sq ft4.63 yd³9.26 yd³
6 inches (flower bed)54 sq ft9.26 yd³18.52 yd³
8 inches (veg bed)40 sq ft12.35 yd³24.69 yd³
12 inches (raised bed)27 sq ft18.52 yd³37.04 yd³

Before waste. Add 10% for settling, spillage, and uneven ground. 2 and 3 inch depths highlighted as most common for lawn projects.

Recommended topsoil depths by project

Project typeRecommended depthNotes
New lawn (seed or sod)2-3 in (50-75 mm)Over existing soil with good drainage
Lawn leveling / topdressing1-2 in (25-50 mm)Light layer worked into low spots
Flower beds6-8 in (150-200 mm)Mix with existing soil for drainage
Vegetable garden8-12 in (200-300 mm)Deeper for root vegetables
Raised beds12 in+ (300 mm+)Use topsoil + compost blend
Seeding bare spots1-3 in (25-75 mm)Lightly rake in after spreading

Topsoil vs garden mix vs compost

Topsoil is the mineral soil layer used for leveling, base filling, and fertility. Garden mix blends topsoil with compost or organic matter, making it better for planting beds. Compost is a soil amendment to mix in rather than use alone for depth. For raised beds, a 50/50 blend of topsoil and compost is often recommended.

Frequently Asked Questions

Multiply area by depth to get volume. For a 20×30 ft lawn at 3 inches: 600 sq ft × 0.25 ft = 150 ft³ ÷ 27 = 5.56 cubic yards. Add 10% waste = 6.1 yards. Enter your dimensions above for an instant result.
Formula: (length × width × depth in feet) ÷ 27. A 1,000 sq ft lawn at 3 inches: 1,000 × 0.25 ÷ 27 = 9.26 yards. Add 10% for settling = approximately 10 yards to order. See the coverage table above for pre-calculated common sizes.
At 1 inch depth: 1 cubic yard covers 324 sq ft. At 2 inches: 162 sq ft per yard. At 3 inches: 108 sq ft per yard. At 6 inches: 54 sq ft per yard. See the full coverage table above.
Screened topsoil averages around 1,200 kg/m³ (about 2,000 lb per cubic yard), roughly 1 US ton per yard. Wet or clay-heavy topsoil can weigh significantly more (1,400+ kg/m³). Adjust the density field in the calculator to match your supplier's specification.
For new lawn establishment: 2-3 inches (50-75 mm) over existing soil. For lawn leveling: 1-2 inches. For seed germination in poor subsoil: 4-6 inches. Use the depth presets in the calculator to select your project type automatically.
At 1,200 kg/m³, one cubic yard weighs about 918 kg. With 20 kg bags: approximately 46 bags per yard. With 40 lb bags: about 51 bags. For anything over 2-3 cubic yards, bulk delivery is almost always more economical than bags.

Topsoil Planning Checklist

Covers site preparation, drainage slope, depth confirmation, delivery access, spreading sequence, and settling allowance before ordering.

Download Checklist (PDF)

Planning reference only. See Methodology and Data Sources. View all project checklists →

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Disclaimer: Estimates are for general planning only. Actual quantities vary based on compaction, moisture content, ground conditions, and supplier-specific densities. Always add 10% and confirm with your supplier.

See Methodology and Data Sources for details.