How to use the topsoil calculator
- Measure the area. Length and width in feet for lawns and rectangular beds, diameter for round beds. For several identical raised beds, enter one and set the number of areas.
- Set the depth. See the depth guide below. For raised beds, use the full inside height of the bed.
- Choose a bag size if you plan to buy bagged soil, and enter local prices to compare bulk and bags.
Topsoil formula
Cubic yards = cubic feet ÷ 27
Tons = cubic yards × about 1.1 (dry) to 1.3 (moist)
One cubic yard of topsoil covers about 324 sq ft at 1 inch deep, 81 sq ft at 4 inches, and 54 sq ft at 6 inches.
How much topsoil depth do I need?
| Project | Depth |
|---|---|
| Top dressing an existing lawn | 1/4 to 1/2 in |
| Leveling low spots | 1 to 2 in per pass |
| New lawn from seed or sod | 4 to 6 in |
| Flower and vegetable beds | 8 to 12 in |
| Raised beds | Full bed height, often 10 to 18 in |
| Trees and large shrubs | 12 to 24 in |
Worked examples
A new 20 × 30 ft lawn
600 sq ft at 4 inches deep is 200 cubic feet, or 7.4 cubic yards. That weighs about 8 tons. Bulk delivery is the only sensible option at this size; it would take 267 bags of 0.75 cu ft.
Two 4 × 8 ft raised beds, 12 inches deep
Each bed holds 32 cubic feet, so two beds need 64 cubic feet or 2.4 cubic yards. In 1 cu ft bags of raised bed mix that is 64 bags.
Topsoil, garden soil or compost?
- Topsoil is screened native soil. Use it to fill, level and build up lawns.
- Garden soil is topsoil mixed with compost and organic matter, better for planting beds.
- Raised bed mix is lighter and drains well. A common blend is 60% topsoil, 30% compost, 10% potting mix.
- Compost is added on top or mixed in at 1 to 3 inches to improve existing soil.
Finishing the bed with a top layer? Use the mulch calculator. Laying stone around it? Try the gravel calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How many bags of topsoil are in a yard?
A cubic yard is 27 cubic feet, which equals 36 bags of 0.75 cubic feet, 27 bags of 1 cubic foot, or 13.5 bags of 2 cubic feet.
How much does a yard of topsoil weigh?
Dry topsoil weighs roughly 2,000 to 2,200 lb (about 1 to 1.1 tons) per cubic yard. Wet soil can weigh 2,600 lb or more.
How much topsoil do I need for a new lawn?
Plan on 4 to 6 inches. For 1,000 square feet at 4 inches you need 333 cubic feet, about 12.3 cubic yards.
How much soil do I need for a 4x8 raised bed?
A 4 × 8 ft bed is 32 square feet. At 12 inches deep it holds 32 cubic feet, about 1.2 cubic yards; at 18 inches deep it holds 48 cubic feet.
Is it cheaper to buy topsoil in bulk or bags?
For anything over about 1 cubic yard, bulk delivery is usually much cheaper per yard, even with a delivery fee. Bags make sense for small beds and containers.
More home project calculators
Last updated October 2026.