How to calculate topsoil
Topsoil is sold by volume — in cubic yards for bulk delivery, or in bags for smaller jobs. To find how much you need:
Cubic yards = area (sq ft) × depth (ft) ÷ 27
Depth is usually measured in inches, so divide it by 12 first to convert to feet. This calculator does that for you, then shows the volume in cubic yards, cubic feet, bags, and an approximate weight so you can plan delivery.
How much topsoil do you need? (by use)
| Project | Typical depth |
|---|---|
| Top-dressing / leveling a lawn | ¼–½ in |
| New lawn over existing soil | 2–4 in |
| Garden & planting beds | 6–12 in |
| Raised beds (fill depth) | 8–12 in |
Topsoil weight & delivery
Topsoil is heavy. A cubic yard of screened topsoil weighs about 2,000–2,700 lb (1–1.35 tons), and more when it's wet. That matters for delivery and hauling:
- Pickup trucks are limited. A half-ton pickup should carry only about ½ cubic yard of soil at a time — roughly one ton.
- Bulk beats bags for big jobs. Past about 1 cubic yard (around 36 of the 0.75 cu ft bags), bulk delivery is usually cheaper and far less work.
- Order a little extra. Fresh topsoil settles and compacts when watered, so adding roughly 10% covers settling and uneven ground.
Topsoil vs. garden soil vs. fill dirt
- Topsoil — the screened upper layer of soil, good for new lawns, leveling, and grading.
- Garden soil — topsoil blended with compost and nutrients, meant for planting beds.
- Fill dirt — subsoil with little organic matter, used to fill large volumes or build up grade under structures.
How to judge good topsoil
Quality varies a lot by supplier. Good topsoil is screened (free of rocks, roots, and debris), dark, and crumbly, with an earthy smell and a loamy texture — a balance of sand, silt, and clay that holds moisture without turning to mud. Avoid soil that's full of clods or weeds, smells sour, or is mostly heavy clay or pure sand. Buying by the truckload? Ask to see it first, or buy from a supplier who screens.
How much does topsoil cost?
Bulk topsoil runs about $15–$50 per cubic yard plus a delivery fee, with screened or amended blends at the higher end. Bagged topsoil costs much more per yard, so once you need more than about a cubic yard (around 36 of the 0.75 cu ft bags), bulk delivery wins easily.
Good to know
- Order a little extra. Fresh soil settles and compacts when watered — add about 10% so you don't come up short.
- Mind the truck. Soil is heavy (about a ton per cubic yard); a half-ton pickup carries only ~½ yard safely.
- Prep the ground. Loosen compacted subsoil before adding topsoil so roots and water can move between the layers.