Free topsoil calculator — cubic yards, weight and cost
Work out how much topsoil to order for a lawn, a raised bed or a regrade. Add as many areas as you need, set your depth, and get cubic yards, weight and cost.
How deep should topsoil be?
It depends entirely on what you are growing. Two inches is a top-dressing over an existing lawn. Four inches is the practical minimum for establishing new turf. Six inches gives grass a genuinely good root zone. Twelve inches or more is what vegetable beds and deep-rooted planting want.
If you are filling a raised bed, calculate the internal dimensions and remember that soil settles — order about 10% more than the box measures, or you will be back for a second load.
A common and expensive mistake is ordering screened topsoil for bulk fill. If you are just raising a grade, fill dirt costs a fraction as much. Save the topsoil for the top few inches where roots actually live.
Coverage at a glance
How far one cubic yard goes, and what 1,000 square feet takes, at each common depth:
| Depth | One cubic yard covers | 1,000 sq ft needs |
|---|---|---|
| 2" | 162 sq ft | 6.2 cu yd |
| 4" | 81 sq ft | 12.3 cu yd |
| 6" | 54 sq ft | 18.5 cu yd |
| 12" | 27 sq ft | 37.0 cu yd |
Weight and delivery
Topsoil runs around 1.2 tons per cubic yard, and considerably more when wet. Ten yards is roughly 12 tons — that is a tandem load, not something a pickup handles.
Before you order, check access. Bulk material is tipped, not carried — the truck needs room to back in and raise its bed, and most suppliers will not tip on a surface they might damage. Ask about the delivery fee and the minimum order separately, because both change the maths on small jobs.
Turn it into a quote
Hit Copy order and the whole breakdown goes to your clipboard, ready to paste into an estimate. Add your labour, price it with the profit margin calculator, and send it with the estimate generator.
Related: cubic yard calculator, gravel, topsoil, mulch and concrete calculators, plus state-by-state rate data for what landscapers and contractors earn.
FAQ
How much topsoil do I need?
Multiply area by depth and divide by 27. At 4 inches deep — the usual minimum for new turf — one cubic yard covers 81 square feet. A 1,000 square foot lawn at 4 inches needs about 12.3 cubic yards.
How much does a yard of topsoil weigh?
About 2,000 to 2,700 pounds, so roughly 1 to 1.35 tons depending on moisture and how much clay or sand it contains. Wet topsoil is markedly heavier, which is why suppliers quote by volume rather than weight.
How many bags of topsoil in a cubic yard?
Around 36, if you are buying the common 0.75 cubic foot bags. That is why bulk delivery wins so decisively on anything larger than a raised bed — 36 bags is a lot of lifting and a lot of plastic.
What is the difference between topsoil and fill dirt?
Topsoil is the biologically active upper layer with organic matter in it, and it is what plants root into. Fill dirt is subsoil used to change grade and build up levels — it has little organic content and compacts better. Use fill dirt for volume and topsoil for the top few inches.
Should I order extra topsoil for settling?
Yes. Loose-delivered soil settles noticeably once watered and walked on. Adding 10 to 15% is normal, and it is far cheaper than paying a second delivery fee for the last half yard.