Topsoil calculator
New lawn, topping existing grass, or filling low spots — enter the area and depth of topsoil you need, and get yards, bags and weight instantly.
Result
Topsoil needed
How much topsoil do I need?
Topsoil is ordered by the cubic yard (or by the ton from some quarries). Volume is area × depth:
Formula
ft³ = area (ft²) × depth (in) ÷ 12 · yards = ft³ ÷ 27 · tons ≈ yards × 1.05
Example: topdressing a 30 ft × 20 ft lawn with 2 inches of soil: 600 ft² × 2 ÷ 12 = 100 ft³ = 3.7 yd³, about 3.9 tons delivered, or 134 of the 40 lb bags (0.75 ft³) — at which point bulk delivery is much cheaper.
How deep should topsoil be?
| Project | Depth | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Topdressing / leveling a lawn | 0.25–1 in | Don't smother grass; quarter-inch passes |
| Overseeding patch repair | 1–2 in | Mix with compost |
| New lawn from seed/sod | 4–6 in | Root zone over subsoil |
| New garden beds | 6–12 in | Or build a raised bed instead |
Yards, tons and truckloads
A single-axle dump truck carries roughly 5–10 yd³; many landscape suppliers have a 1-yard minimum with short-load fees below 3–5 yards. Screened topsoil at ~2,100 lb/yd³ means a 5 yd³ load is about 5.25 tons — check your driveway can take the truck.
Topsoil vs fill dirt: topsoil is screened, organic and grows things. For deep voids and grading under new soil, price fill dirt first — it's usually half the cost.
Frequently asked questions
How many 40 lb bags of topsoil equal a yard?
A typical 40 lb bag is 0.75 ft³, so a cubic yard is 36 bags. Bagged topsoil only makes sense under about half a yard.
How much topsoil do I need for 1,000 square feet?
At 4 inches (new lawn root zone): 1,000 × 4 ÷ 12 = 333 ft³ = 12.3 yd³, about 13 tons. At 1 inch for topdressing it's 3.1 yd³.
How much does a yard of topsoil weigh?
About 2,100 lb (just over a ton) loose and dry-ish; wet topsoil can approach 1.5 tons. Suppliers quoting by weight use certified scales.
How thick should topsoil be for sod?
4–6 inches over compacted, graded subsoil. Sod roots reach full depth in a few weeks; too-thin topsoil dries out fast in summer.
How do I calculate soil for an irregular-shaped yard?
Break it into rectangles, add the volumes — or average the longest/shortest spans into the rectangle tab for a close estimate, then round up.