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Topsoil Calculator
Pick a project preset (or set a custom depth), enter the area, and the calculator returns cubic yards, an approximate weight, the number of bags, and a side-by-side cost comparison for bag and bulk delivery.
Project preset
Mixed flower/vegetable bed: about 8 inches of topsoil.
Area and depth
Depth unit
Bag vs bulk
Common bagged topsoil is 0.75 ft³.
Notes
- Topsoil weight is roughly 75 lb/ft³, but moisture and organic content can shift this 10-20 percent.
- Bagged topsoil works for small fills (under 1 yd³). Bulk delivery is much cheaper above that.
- For new garden beds, mix topsoil with compost (about 30 to 50 percent by volume) for fertility.
Educational estimate. Soil testing and local supplier guidance are better for serious horticulture.
Topsoil needed
0.99 yd³
26.67 ft³; about 1 tons
Bag count is rounded up to the next whole bag. Bag cost and bulk cost are shown when both prices are entered so you can pick the cheaper delivery option.
Examples
10 x 4 ft garden bed, 8 in deep
≈ 27 ft³ ≈ 1.0 yd³
12 x 4 ft raised bed, 12 in deep
= 48 ft³ ≈ 1.78 yd³
2,000 sq ft lawn, 1/4 in topdress
≈ 42 ft³ ≈ 1.55 yd³
20 x 20 ft new lawn, 4 in deep
≈ 133 ft³ ≈ 4.94 yd³
How it works
Topsoil is a depth-driven calculation. Pick the right depth for your project and the calculator converts area + depth to cubic feet, cubic yards, and weight.
Volume · ft³ = L x W x D
Yardage · yd³ = ft³ / 27
Weight ≈ V (ft³) x 75 lb/ft³. Bag count is ceil(V / bag size).
Related bulk-material calculators
- Cubic yard calculator for generic yardage without soil-specific presets.
- Mulch calculator for the bag-count cousin used over the top of a finished bed.
- Grass seed calculator for the seeding step after the topsoil is in place.
- Sand calculator for the sand cousin (lighter weight per cubic foot, different presets).
- All home calculators.
Frequently asked questions
Multiply length, width, and depth (in feet) to get volume in cubic feet. Divide by 27 for cubic yards. For depth in inches, divide the inches by 12 to convert to feet first.
Lawn topdressing: about 1/4 inch (a very thin layer). Garden beds: 6 to 12 inches. Raised beds: typically 12 inches. New lawn install: 4 to 6 inches over compacted subsoil before seeding or sodding. The preset buttons cover the common cases.
Bagged topsoil is convenient for small jobs (under about 1 cubic yard total). Bulk delivery is significantly cheaper per cubic yard above that. The calculator shows both costs when you enter both prices so you can compare.
Bulk topsoil is often sold by the cubic yard but delivered with weight on the truck ticket. Knowing the weight (about 75 pounds per cubic foot, roughly 2,000 lb per cubic yard) helps you double-check the delivery.
For new garden beds, mixing 30 to 50 percent compost into topsoil improves fertility and structure. The calculator handles topsoil quantity only; mix in compost after delivery using your own ratio.
It is a quantity estimate. For real horticultural work, also consider soil testing (pH, organic matter), drainage, the existing soil profile, and any amendments. The page is educational, not landscaping advice.
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