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Topsoil Calculator

How much topsoil do you need for a new lawn, a garden bed or a raised bed? Enter the area and depth to get yards, tons and bags.

  • Feet + inches
  • Sourced data
  • No sign-up
Calculator
ft
in
ft
in
in

4–6 in for a new lawn, 6–12 in for garden beds

×

Identical beds or spots

t/yd³

Tons per cubic yard. Ask your supplier for theirs.

$

Topsoil needed

2.47 cu yd

66.7 cubic feet over 200 sq ft

Weight
2.72 tons (5,432 lb)
Bags of 0.75 cu ft
89
Bags of 1 cu ft
67

Suppliers sell bulk material in whole or half yards. Round up: an extra half yard costs less than a second delivery.
How it works Formula, reference tables and pro tips

How much topsoil per project

ProjectDepthCu yd per 100 sq ft
Top-dressing a lawn0.5 in0.15
Leveling low spots2 in0.62
New lawn (seed or sod)4 in1.23
Flower or vegetable bed8 in2.47
Raised bed12 in3.70

Raised beds: common sizes

Bed (inside)HeightCubic feetCubic yards
4 × 4 ft12 in160.59
4 × 8 ft12 in321.19
4 × 8 ft18 in481.78
3 × 6 ft12 in180.67
4 × 12 ft12 in481.78

Buying topsoil

  • Ask for screened topsoil: it has had rocks, roots and clumps removed.
  • For vegetable beds, a blend with compost gives better results than plain topsoil.
  • Have the truck dump on a tarp near the work area to save your lawn and your back.

Quick answers

How much topsoil do I need for a new lawn?

Most guides suggest 4 to 6 inches of good topsoil for seeding or sod over poor soil. At 4 inches, 1,000 sq ft of lawn needs about 12.3 cubic yards. If you are just leveling low spots or top-dressing, a quarter to half an inch is enough.

How many bags of topsoil are in a yard?

A cubic yard is 27 cubic feet: 36 bags of 0.75 cu ft or 27 bags of 1 cu ft. Above 2–3 yards, bulk delivery is almost always cheaper.

How much does a yard of topsoil weigh?

Roughly 1.1 to 1.3 tons (2,200–2,600 lb) depending on moisture and organic content. Wet topsoil is noticeably heavier, which matters if you plan to haul it in a pickup.

How do I fill a raised bed?

Measure the inside length, width and height of the bed. A 4 × 8 ft bed that is 12 inches tall holds 32 cubic feet, or about 1.2 cubic yards. Many gardeners use a blend of topsoil and compost rather than topsoil alone.

Does topsoil settle?

Yes. Loose topsoil settles noticeably after the first waterings and rain, so overfill beds slightly and top them up after a few weeks.

More calculators

Mulch Calculator

Cubic yards or 2 and 3 cu ft bags for any bed, at the right depth.

Gravel Calculator

Tons and cubic yards of gravel, crushed stone or road base.

Sand Calculator

Sand for paver bedding, sandboxes and leveling, in tons or bags.
See all calculators

These calculators give estimates for planning and shopping. Product yields, densities and coverage vary by brand and site conditions, so check the label and your supplier. For structural work, follow your local building code and permit requirements.