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Topsoil Calculator — Cubic Yards, Tons & Bags

Enter your dimensions and desired topsoil depth to get cubic yards, weight in tons, and bag counts. Works for lawns, raised areas, and fill projects.

Reviewed October 2026 · by The YardMath Estimating Desk · How we calculate

Fill Area

Topsoil settles 10–20% after watering. Use 15% for fills deeper than 6 in.

Materials Takeoff
Cubic Yards—
Cubic Feet—
Cubic Meters—
Weight (tons)—
0.75 cu ft bags—
1 cu ft bags—

How to Calculate Topsoil Needed

Topsoil volume is length × width × depth, converted to cubic yards by dividing by 27. Then add 10–20% for settling after installation and watering.

cubic yards = (sq ft × depth in feet) ÷ 27 × (1 + settling %)

Depth Guidelines by Application

ProjectMinimum depthRecommended
New lawn establishment4 inches6 inches
Overseeding / topdressing0.5 inch1 inch
Vegetable garden6 inches10–12 inches
Flower bed4 inches6–8 inches
Grade fill (low spots)As neededFill +10% for settling
Raised bed fillFull depthUse raised bed calculator

Source: Iowa State University Extension & Iowa Department of Agriculture

Worked Example: New Lawn in Backyard

  • Area: 40 ft × 60 ft = 2,400 sq ft
  • Depth: 4 inches = 0.333 ft
  • Volume: 2,400 × 0.333 = 800 cu ft = 29.6 cu yd
  • Settling factor (15%): × 1.15 = 34 cu yd
  • At screened topsoil density of 2,025 lb/yd³: 34.5 tons
Call 811 before any digging. Even shallow grading can hit shallow utility lines. The free 811 service marks underground utilities at your property.

Sources

Frequently asked questions

How many cubic yards of topsoil do I need for a 1,000 sq ft area?+

At 4 inches deep, you need (1,000 × 0.333) ÷ 27 = 12.3 cubic yards. At 6 inches, 18.5 cubic yards. Add 10–15% for settling, so roughly 14–16 yards for a 4-inch application over 1,000 sq ft.

How deep should I put topsoil for a new lawn?+

Lawn establishment needs at least 4–6 inches of quality topsoil above the subgrade. Six inches is better for grass roots. Vegetable gardens benefit from 8–12 inches of good topsoil mixed with compost.

How much does a cubic yard of topsoil weigh?+

Screened topsoil weighs roughly 2,025 lb per cubic yard (about 1 ton). Actual weight depends on moisture content and the amount of clay or organic matter — wet clay topsoil can exceed 2,400 lb/yd³.

How many 1 cu ft bags equal a cubic yard?+

One cubic yard equals 27 cubic feet, so you need 27 one-cubic-foot bags. For small projects under 3 yards, bags from a home center work fine. For larger fills, bulk delivery is far cheaper.

What is the difference between topsoil and garden soil?+

Topsoil is natural soil from the surface layer, screened and graded. Garden soil or raised-bed mixes are blended products with added compost, vermiculite, or fertilizer. Topsoil is cheaper for bulk fill; blended mixes cost more but give better plant performance in beds.

Guides for this calculator

Topsoil vs. Garden Soil: What's the Difference?

Topsoil is unimproved mineral soil for grading and filling. Garden soil has compost and nutrients mixed in for planting. Use the right one or you'll waste money.

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