Free material order planner
Topsoil Calculator
Open calculatorUse this topsoil calculator to estimate how much soil you need for leveling, lawn repair, garden beds, or light grading. Whether your supplier lists it as topsoil or top soil, enter length, width, depth, bag volume, density, and waste to get cubic feet, cubic yards, optional tons, and bag count.
EstimateEstimate only; settling, soil moisture, supplier bag fill, drainage, and local conditions vary.
Project inputs
Recommended order
Order 2 cu yd in bulk
Bulk is about $34.00 less with the entered delivery charge. Estimated delivered total: $141.00. The bagged alternative is $175.00.
Project quantity: 1.83 cubic yards of top soil
Smart Buy Planner
Bags or bulk?
2 cu yd at $38.00/yd + $65.00 delivery
50 1-cu ft bags at $3.50 each
Bulk is about $34.00 less with the entered delivery charge.
Cost comparison only. Local prices, taxes, access, pickup capacity, product grade, and delivery terms vary.
Printable material list
Estimate- Screened top soil1.83 cu yd10% extra for settling and grading
- Typical bulk cost$27–$92regional planning range; edit the price field for a local rate
- Delivery vs DIY haulAbout 5 pickup loads, so book a deliveryroughly 17 wheelbarrow loads to move it; heavy material, so confirm your truck's payload before hauling
- Bagged top soil50 1-cu ft bagsuse bag label when different
- Cost at your price$69.54at $38/cu yd — edit the price field
- Optional weight estimate2.01 tons1.1 tons/cu yd assumption
- Rake and grading allowance1 passplan extra time for low spots
Estimate only. Soil moisture, settling, screening, and supplier fill levels vary.
Visible defaults
Assumptions
- Cubic yards equal cubic feet divided by 27.
- Default settling allowance is 10 percent.
- Bag count defaults to 1 cubic foot bags and rounds up.
- Weight is optional because soil moisture changes ton estimates.
Math
Calculation details
- Area = length x width.
- Cubic feet = area x depth in feet.
- Cubic yards = cubic feet / 27.
- Bags = cubic feet / bag volume.
What this topsoil calculator estimates
Topsoil projects often start with a simple question: how many bags or cubic yards do I need? The answer depends on area and depth, not just the visible size of the yard. This calculator converts a measured rectangle or average area into cubic feet, cubic yards, bag count, and optional tons so you can compare bagged soil with a bulk delivery.
The result is best for planning lawn repair, filling shallow low spots, starting a garden area, refreshing a bed, or pricing a small delivery. It is not a soil test, grading plan, drainage design, or recommendation for a specific plant. Soil quality, texture, organic matter, and moisture still need to be judged locally.
Choosing a soil depth
Depth drives the material order. A thin topdressing might be a quarter inch to half inch. Lawn repair or leveling can use one to three inches depending on the low spot. New planting beds may need more, but deep fills often call for a blend of existing soil, compost, and other amendments rather than pure purchased top soil.
Before ordering, mark the area and decide whether the depth is an average or a finished grade. If the ground is uneven, a three inch average may hide six inch pockets and one inch high spots. For better planning, split the yard into zones and calculate each zone separately.
Formula used
The calculator multiplies length by width to get square feet. It converts depth from inches to feet, multiplies area by depth to get cubic feet, then divides by 27 to get cubic yards. The settling allowance is applied after the base volume because loose soil can settle, spread into low spots, or be lost during raking.
Bag count is cubic feet divided by the bag volume. A store may sell 0.75 cu ft, 1 cu ft, 1.5 cu ft, or 2 cu ft bags, so the bag volume field should match the label. Optional tons are shown only as a planning number because wet soil can weigh much more than dry soil.
Bagged soil versus bulk soil
Bagged soil is easy to load, carry, and store, especially for small beds or patch repairs. Bulk soil usually makes sense when the order reaches multiple cubic yards, but it requires access for delivery and a place to dump the pile. The calculator shows both units so the size of the job is clear before you commit.
If you are comparing prices, include delivery fees, minimum orders, taxes, and the labor of moving soil. A cheap bulk price can become less attractive for a tiny project, while bagged soil can become expensive and tiring when the bag count climbs into the dozens.
Common mistakes
One common mistake is treating a bag count from a different bag size as universal. Always check the label volume. Another mistake is forgetting settling. Freshly spread soil can compact after watering, foot traffic, and rain. A small allowance helps, but severe low spots may need a second pass after the first layer settles.
Do not bury existing turf too deeply when topdressing a lawn. For live grass, thin repeated applications are often better than one thick layer. For garden beds, think about soil blend and drainage rather than simply adding more top soil.
Screened versus unscreened topsoil
Screened topsoil is run through a mesh that pulls out rocks, roots, sticks, and hard clods. The result rakes flat and spreads in a thin even layer, which matters most for seedbeds, lawn repair, and finish grading where lumps show. Unscreened soil costs less but arrives with debris that slows raking and can leave high spots. The screen size also sets how fine the soil feels, so ask what mesh the supplier runs.
Screening removes material but does not change the volume you measured, so estimate cubic yards the same way for either grade. What varies between sources is texture and how much organic matter is mixed in, not the math. A dark, loose, screened loam and a heavier clay-bound soil both occupy the cubic yards you entered. Judge the soil by how it looks and crumbles in your hand, then enter the dimensions and order the same way.
Using the printable list
The printed material list is designed to take to a garden center or landscape yard. It gives cubic feet, cubic yards, bag count, optional tons, and the assumptions used. If the supplier sells by scoop, bucket, or yard, use the cubic yard result. If a store sells bags, use the bag count and confirm the bag volume.
Keep the disclaimer with the list. It is a planning estimate, and local soil conditions vary. If the project affects drainage, foundation grade, tree roots, or runoff, get local advice before placing material.
Quick reference
Topsoil coverage by depth
| Depth | Coverage per cubic yard | 1 cu ft bags per 100 sq ft |
|---|---|---|
| 1 in | 324 sq ft | 9 bags |
| 2 in | 162 sq ft | 17 bags |
| 3 in | 108 sq ft | 25 bags |
| 4 in | 81 sq ft | 34 bags |
1 cubic yard = 27 cubic feet. Bag counts assume 1 cubic foot bags, rounded up, before any settling allowance.
FAQ
Topsoil Calculator FAQ
How do I calculate topsoil needed?
Multiply length by width for area, multiply by depth in feet for cubic feet, then divide by 27 for cubic yards. Add a settling or waste allowance and round bag counts up.
How much does one cubic yard of topsoil cover?
One cubic yard covers about 324 square feet at 1 inch deep, 162 square feet at 2 inches deep, or 108 square feet at 3 inches deep before waste or settling.
How many bags of top soil are in a cubic yard?
A cubic yard is 27 cubic feet. If each bag is 1 cubic foot, one cubic yard is 27 bags. If each bag is 1.5 cubic feet, one cubic yard is 18 bags.
Should I order extra top soil?
A modest settling allowance is useful because soil can compact, rake into low spots, and vary by moisture. The default calculator allowance is 10 percent.
Can I use this for raised beds?
You can use the volume math, but raised beds often need a soil blend rather than only top soil. For a dedicated raised bed estimate, include compost and other amendments separately.
Why is soil weight optional?
Soil weight changes significantly with moisture and composition. Cubic yards are usually a better starting point for landscape planning unless the supplier gives a specific weight conversion.
Is screened topsoil worth the extra cost?
Screened topsoil costs more but spreads and rakes evenly because rocks, roots, and clods are removed. For seedbeds, lawn repair, and finish grading, that cleaner texture usually saves enough labor to justify the price. Unscreened soil can be fine for rough filling or low spots where a smooth surface matters less.
What screen size should I ask for in topsoil?
Suppliers screen through different mesh sizes, and a finer screen gives a smoother soil for seeding while a coarser one leaves more texture. For lawns and beds, a finer screened grade is easier to rake level. Ask what size screen the yard uses and whether any compost is blended in before you order.
Can I calculate topsoil for a round or triangular bed?
Yes. Set the area shape to circle for a round or oval bed and enter the diameter, triangle for a corner bed using the base and height, or ring for a bed that wraps a tree or feature. The calculator finds that area, then applies your depth and settling allowance to return cubic yards and bags.
How much topsoil do I need under sod?
Plan on 4 to 6 inches of topsoil for sod so new roots have loose, workable ground to grow into rather than compacted subgrade. That is about 12 to 19 cubic yards per 1,000 square feet at that depth, more on heavier clay or a compacted lot. Enter your lawn's length, width, and planned depth above to get an exact cubic yard and bag count before the sod arrives.
Methodology
Who built and reviewed this estimate
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