Topsoil Calculator
Square feet × depth in inches ÷ 324 = cubic yards: 1,000 sq ft at 4 in needs 12.35 cubic yards, about 14.8 tons, or 445 bags of 0.75 cu ft.
Topsoil estimator
How to calculate topsoil
cubic yards = area (sq ft) × depth (in) ÷ 324 tons = cubic yards × tons per yard (about 1.2) bags = cubic feet ÷ bag size
Worked example: 1,000 sq ft at 4 in = 1,000 × 4 ÷ 12 = 333 cu ft = 12.35 cu yd. At 1.2 tons per yard that is about 14.81 tons. Check: a 0.75 cu ft Scotts bag covers 4 sq ft at 2 in per its label, and 0.75 × 12 ÷ 2 = 4.5 sq ft, so the label rounds down a little.
How deep should topsoil be?
| Project | Depth | Source |
|---|---|---|
| New lawn (firmed or settled) | 4–6 in | Penn State Extension |
| Raised bed: leafy greens, beans, cucumbers | 8 in min | University of Maryland Extension |
| Raised bed: peppers, tomatoes, squash | 12–24 in | University of Maryland Extension |
| Raised bed soil-and-organic mix, most vegetables | about 8 in | Oregon State University Extension |
Topsoil weight and bags
Bulk topsoil is sold by the cubic yard and delivered by weight, which matters for a truck bed or trailer. A typical figure is about 1.2 tons per yard; SDSU's ideal bulk density works out to about 1.12 tons per yard dry. Wet soil is heavier, so ask your supplier.
| Bag size | Bags per cu yd | One bag covers at 2 in |
|---|---|---|
| 0.75 cu ft | 36 | 4.5 sq ft |
| 1 cu ft | 27 | 6 sq ft |
| 1.5 cu ft | 18 | 9 sq ft |
| 2 cu ft | 13.5 | 12 sq ft |
Frequently asked questions
How much topsoil do I need?
Area in square feet × depth in inches ÷ 324 = cubic yards. 1,000 sq ft at 4 inches is 12.35 cubic yards, about 14.8 tons at a typical 1.2 tons per yard.
How much does a yard of topsoil weigh?
A landscape supplier (Mulch Mound) puts topsoil at about 1.2 tons per cubic yard. SDSU Extension gives about 82.9 lb per cubic foot for soil at an ideal bulk density (about 1.12 tons per yard), and the Engineering ToolBox lists loam at 80 lb per cubic foot. Wet soil weighs more.
How deep should topsoil be for a new lawn?
Penn State Extension says a minimum of 4 to 6 inches of good-quality topsoil, measured firmed or settled, is typically needed to establish good turf.
How much soil do I need for a raised bed?
Length × width × depth in feet. A 4 × 8 ft bed 12 inches deep holds 32 cubic feet (1.19 cu yd), or 43 bags of 0.75 cu ft. University of Maryland Extension suggests at least 8 inches for leafy greens, beans and cucumbers and 12 to 24 inches for peppers, tomatoes and squash, filled with compost and topsoil at 1:2 or 1:1.
How many bags of topsoil are in a yard?
27 cubic feet ÷ bag size: 36 bags of 0.75 cu ft, 27 bags of 1 cu ft, 18 bags of 1.5 cu ft or 13.5 bags of 2 cu ft.
Sources
- How Much Compost, Soil or Mulch Do I Need to Purchase?, University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources. Used for: 27 cu ft per cu yd; sq ft × depth ÷ 324.
- Sand vs Topsoil Over Subsoil, Mulch Mound (landscape supplier). Used for: topsoil about 1.2 tons per cu yd (typical, supplier figure).
- Bulk Density: An Indicator of Soil Health, South Dakota State University Extension. Used for: ideal soil bulk density about 82.9 lb/cu ft.
- Dirt and Mud: Densities, The Engineering ToolBox. Used for: loam 80 lb/cu ft.
- Lawn Establishment, Penn State Extension. Used for: 4 to 6 in of topsoil for a new lawn.
- Soil to Fill Raised Beds, University of Maryland Extension. Used for: raised bed depths and the compost-to-topsoil mix.
- Raised Bed Gardening (FS 270), Oregon State University Extension. Used for: about 8 in of soil mix suits most vegetables.
- Scotts 0.75 cu. ft. Premium Topsoil, Blain's Farm & Fleet (product listing). Used for: 0.75 cu ft Scotts topsoil bag covers 4 sq ft at 2 in.
Estimates only. Check local codes and your product's label. Found a number that does not match its source? Send a correction.