CalcMaterials

Topsoil Calculator

Calculate how much topsoil to order for garden beds, lawn leveling, or raised beds — in cubic yards, tons, or 0.75 cu ft bags.

Calculate your materials

What you'll need to buy

  • Topsoil (bulk or bagged)Screened soil for beds and levelingShop
  • CompostImproves structure and feeds plantsShop
  • Garden rake / leveling rakeSpreads and grades the soil evenlyShop
  • Landscape fabricWeed barrier under beds where neededShop
  • Grass seed or plantsWhat goes on top once it's gradedShop

Links marked Shop open a retailer search (Home Depot) and are affiliate links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

How the math works

A 10 ft × 10 ft bed (100 sq ft) at 6" deep = 50 cu ft ≈ 1.85 cubic yards ≈ 2.2 tons, or 67 bags of 0.75 cu ft soil.

Formula

cubic feet = area × depth in feet cubic yards = cubic feet ÷ 27 bags (0.75 cu ft) = cubic feet ÷ 0.75 (round up)

Reference values

Topsoil density & bags
MaterialDensity / equivalence
Screened topsoil≈ 1.1–1.3 tons / yd³
Topsoil + compost≈ 1.0 ton / yd³
Fill dirt≈ 1.45 tons / yd³
1 cubic yard= 27 cu ft = 36 bags (0.75 cu ft)

Step by step

  1. Measure the bed length and width for square footage.
  2. Pick a soil depth (4" lawn, 6" beds, 12" raised beds).
  3. Multiply area × depth in feet for cubic feet, then divide by 27 for cubic yards.
  4. Add 10% for settling, compare bulk vs bags, and round up.

Waste allowance

Always add a waste factor: more for diagonal, herringbone, or irregular layouts and for trenches in rocky soil. It's cheaper to round up than to pay for a second delivery.

Bags vs. bulk

Bagged material is convenient for small jobs, but loose/bulk delivery is almost always cheaper per unit once you pass roughly 1–3 cubic yards. Compare the per-cubic-yard price before deciding.

Frequently asked questions

How much topsoil do I need?

Multiply the bed area by the depth in feet for cubic feet, then divide by 27 for cubic yards. A 100 sq ft bed at 6" deep needs about 1.85 cubic yards (≈2.2 tons).

How many bags of topsoil are in a cubic yard?

A cubic yard is 27 cubic feet, which equals about 36 bags of 0.75 cu ft soil (or 40 bags of 0.67 cu ft). Buying bulk is far cheaper above roughly 1 cubic yard.

How many tons is a yard of topsoil?

Screened topsoil weighs about 1.1–1.3 tons per cubic yard depending on moisture and organic content. Wet soil weighs more, so order by volume when you can.

How deep should topsoil be for a new lawn?

Aim for 4" of quality topsoil for a new lawn, 6" for garden beds, and up to 12" for raised beds. Lighter top-dressing over existing turf is usually 1/4"–1/2".

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