# Topsoil Calculator

Calculate how much topsoil you need in cubic yards and tons. Enter area and depth for lawns, gardens, and raised beds. Free topsoil calculator.

## What this calculates

Whether you are establishing a new lawn, building raised garden beds, or improving existing soil, this calculator determines exactly how much topsoil to order. Enter your area dimensions and desired depth to get volume in cubic yards and weight in tons for bulk delivery, or the number of bags for smaller projects.

## Inputs

- **Length** (ft) — min 0
- **Width** (ft) — min 0
- **Depth** (in) — min 0, max 24 — New lawns: 4-6 in, garden beds: 6-12 in, topdressing: 1-2 in
- **Topsoil Density** (lb/ft³) — min 50, max 110 — Typical: 70-80 lb/ft³ (1,120-1,280 kg/m³). Dry ~75, moist ~90 lb/ft³.
- **Price Per Cubic Yard** ($) — min 0 — Bulk delivery price (typically $20-55/yd³)

## Outputs

- **Coverage Area** (ft²)
- **Volume** (ft³)
- **Volume** (yd³) — Order this amount for bulk delivery
- **Weight** (tons)
- **40-lb Bags** — Standard retail bags (approx. 0.75 ft³ each)
- **Estimated Cost (bulk)** — formatted as currency

## Frequently Asked Questions

**Q: How much topsoil do I need for a new lawn?**

A: For a new lawn, apply 4-6 inches of quality topsoil. A 1,000 sq ft lawn at 4 inches deep needs about 12.3 cubic yards. At 6 inches deep, it needs about 18.5 cubic yards. Topsoil should be raked smooth and lightly compacted before seeding.

**Q: How much does a cubic yard of topsoil weigh?**

A: A cubic yard of topsoil weighs approximately 2,000-2,200 pounds (about 1 ton) when dry, and up to 3,000 pounds when wet. Most suppliers sell by the cubic yard, and a standard dump truck holds 10-15 cubic yards.

**Q: What is the difference between topsoil and garden soil?**

A: Topsoil is natural surface-layer soil, screened for consistency. Garden soil is topsoil amended with compost, peat moss, or other organic materials. Use topsoil for grading, filling, and lawns. Use garden soil for planting beds and containers.

**Q: How deep should topsoil be for raised beds?**

A: Raised garden beds should have at least 8-12 inches of soil depth. Root vegetables need 12 inches or more. A 4x8 foot raised bed at 12 inches deep needs about 1.2 cubic yards of soil mix.

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Source: https://vastcalc.com/calculators/construction/topsoil
Category: Construction
Last updated: 2026-04-21