Topsoil Calculator
%
$
Topsoil Preview
200 sq ft
Coverage
2.84 yd³
Cubic Yards
3.42 tons
Weight
103
Bags Needed
Before Settlement Buffer
Before +15%
2.47
Cubic Yards
2.98
Tons
Estimated Cost
$5.00
$515.00
Total Cost
How the Calculator Works
Topsoil volume depends on the area you're covering and how deep you're spreading it. Length times width gives the coverage area, and multiplying that by depth gives the volume.
Volume = Length × Width × Depth
The calculator converts that volume into cubic yards, since bulk topsoil is typically sold and delivered by the yard, and estimates weight in tons using a typical topsoil density of 2,410 pounds per cubic yard. Actual density varies with moisture and composition, generally somewhere between 2,000 and 2,700 pounds per cubic yard, so treat the weight figure as a close estimate rather than an exact scale reading.
Why Manual Estimates Go Wrong
Most topsoil shortages come down to one of two mistakes.
Mistake #1: Forgetting depth is usually in inches, not feet
Length and width are typically measured in feet, but depth is almost always specified in inches. Plugging in "4" for depth without converting from inches to feet first produces a volume 12 times too large.
Mistake #2: Not accounting for settlement
Freshly spread topsoil is loose and full of air pockets. After rain, foot traffic, and natural settling, it compacts and the depth drops, sometimes a full inch or more on a 6-inch layer. Ordering the exact calculated volume without a settlement buffer often means running short and needing a second delivery.
Topsoil Coverage by Depth
These are approximate square feet of coverage per cubic yard of topsoil at common application depths.
| Depth | Coverage per Cubic Yard | Common Use |
|---|---|---|
| 1 in | 324 sq ft | Light topdressing, lawn refresh |
| 2 in | 162 sq ft | Overseeding prep |
| 4 in | 81 sq ft | New lawn, sod base |
| 6 in | 54 sq ft | Garden bed, planting depth |
| 12 in | 27 sq ft | Raised bed, deep-root vegetables |
Example: A 20-foot by 10-foot area at 4 inches deep needs about 2.47 cubic yards of topsoil, or roughly 2.84 cubic yards once a 15% settlement buffer is added.
Choosing a Settlement Buffer
10% Buffer
Reasonable for sandy, well-drained topsoil on a project that will be lightly compacted or not walked on much before it settles naturally.
15% Buffer
The standard recommendation for most topsoil projects, and the default used here. A safe middle ground for typical moisture and composition.
Frequently Asked Questions
Multiply the length and width of your area in feet to get square footage, then multiply by your desired depth in feet (inches divided by 12) to get cubic feet. Divide by 27 to convert to cubic yards, which is how bulk topsoil is typically sold and delivered.
One cubic yard equals 27 cubic feet. At the common 0.75 cubic foot bag size, that works out to 36 bags per cubic yard. At 1 cubic foot per bag, it takes 27 bags.
Topsoil typically weighs between 2,000 and 2,700 pounds per cubic yard, depending on moisture content and composition. This calculator uses 2,410 pounds per cubic yard as a representative default.
Freshly spread topsoil is loose and contains air pockets that compress over time from rain, foot traffic, and natural settling. Most contractors add 10 to 15 percent extra volume to account for this, so the finished depth still meets the target after the soil settles.
Bulk delivery is almost always cheaper per cubic yard once a project needs more than about one cubic yard, since bagged topsoil carries a per-bag packaging and retail markup. For very small projects, bags are usually more practical despite the higher per-yard cost.
Bottom Line
Topsoil volume depends on the area's length, width, and depth, and the depth is almost always the figure that trips people up since it's measured in inches while the rest of the project is measured in feet. Enter your dimensions above to get an exact cubic yard, ton, and bag count with a settlement buffer already built in, and switch to Advanced mode to estimate your total cost.
