Topsoil Calculator

Topsoil Calculator

A 20 × 10 ft bed at 4 inches deep needs about 2.47 cubic yards of topsoil (roughly 2.7 tons). For a new lawn, spread 4–6 inches; for top-dressing, ¼–½ inch. Enter your area and depth below for cubic yards, tons and bags.

Area & depth

Shape

Length

Width

Depth (or raised-bed height) (in)

Waste / extra (%)

A small buffer for settling and spillage.

Bags

Bag size

Topsoil needed

2.59cu yd

Base 2.47 cu yd + 5% waste.

Weight

2.85 tons

Cubic feet

70 cu ft

Cubic meters

1.89 m³

Bags (0.75 cu ft)

Show the math

area = 200 sq ft

volume = 200 × 0.333 ft = 66.67 cu ft

cubic yards = 2.47 → +5% = 2.59 cu yd

tons = 2.59 × 1.1 = 2.85

How to use this calculator

Choose your shape and enter the area dimensions, or use raised-bed mode (length × width × height).
Set the depth — 4 inches is a common default for beds.
Add a small waste allowance for settling.
Pick a bag size (0.75 or 1 cubic foot) to see bag counts.
Read your cubic yards, tons and bags.

Formula

volume (cu ft) = area (sq ft) × depth (ft)
cubic yards = cu ft ÷ 27
tons = cubic yards × 1.1   (screened topsoil)

Worked example

A 20 × 10 ft bed, 4 inches deep:

area = 200 sq ft, depth = 0.333 ft

volume = 200 × 0.333 = 66.7 cu ft

cubic yards = 66.7 ÷ 27 = 2.47 cu yd

Topsoil calculator diagram showing a garden bed with depth labelled

Reference tables

Recommended topsoil depth by use

Use	Depth
New lawn (seed or sod)	4–6"
Top-dressing / overseeding	¼–½"
Vegetable or flower bed	8–12"
Raised bed	Full bed height

One cubic yard covers about 81 sq ft at 4 inches deep.

Tips & buying advice

Buy screened topsoil for lawns and beds; unscreened fill dirt is for grading, not planting.
Topsoil settles — order about 5% extra and rake it slightly high.
Bulk delivery beats bags above roughly 1 cubic yard (a yard is about 36 bags of 0.75 cu ft).
For raised beds, mix topsoil with compost rather than using pure topsoil.

Frequently asked questions

How much area does a yard of topsoil cover?

One cubic yard of topsoil covers about 324 sq ft at 1 inch, 108 sq ft at 3 inches, or 81 sq ft at 4 inches deep. Divide 324 by your depth in inches to get the coverage.

How much does a yard of topsoil weigh?

Screened topsoil weighs roughly 1.1 tons (about 2,200 lb) per cubic yard when moderately dry. Wet or heavy clay soil can weigh noticeably more, so treat tonnage as an estimate.

What is the difference between topsoil, garden soil and fill dirt?

Topsoil is screened surface soil for general use; garden soil is topsoil amended with compost for planting; fill dirt is subsoil with little organic matter, used to raise or level ground, not to grow in.

How many bags of topsoil make a yard?

At 0.75 cubic feet per bag, one cubic yard equals 36 bags (27 ÷ 0.75). At 1 cubic foot per bag it is 27 bags. Above a yard, bulk delivery is usually cheaper.

How deep should topsoil be for grass?

Aim for 4–6 inches of quality topsoil for a new lawn so roots can establish. For over-seeding an existing lawn, a ¼–½ inch top-dressing worked into the surface is enough.

Built and maintained by Sikander Mushtaq. Formulas checked against USDA topsoil bulk-density references. See our methodology and sources, or learn about YardageMath.

Last updated: October 7, 2026

Estimates only. Confirm quantities with your supplier or contractor. Read the full disclaimer.