On this page
- How much topsoil do I need?
- How to use the topsoil calculator
- Topsoil by area and depth
- How deep should topsoil be?
- How much area does a yard of topsoil cover?
- Topsoil, garden soil and fill dirt
- How much does a yard of topsoil weigh?
- Grading topsoil around a house
- Topsoil cost
- Common topsoil mistakes
- Before you order topsoil
- Frequently asked questions
How much topsoil do I need?
Measure the area, decide how thick the new layer will be, and convert to cubic yards. Bulk topsoil is sold by the yard and sometimes by the ton. A 1,000 sq ft lawn at 4 inches needs about 12.3 cubic yards.
Topsoil weighs about 1 to 1.35 tons per cubic yard depending on how wet it is, so a quote by the ton can buy less soil after rain. At 1.2 tons per yard, the 12.3 cubic yards weigh about 14.8 tons.
How to use the topsoil calculator
The topsoil calculator turns area and depth into cubic yards, tons, bags and cost. The "How we calculated this" panel shows each step, and the PDF report keeps them for your supplier.
Step 1: Enter the area to cover
Type the length and width in feet, or the square feet if you know them. For a curved lawn, add the pieces in the square footage calculator first.
Step 2: Choose the depth of new topsoil
Pick 1 to 12 inches for the job. The table below gives the depth for leveling, new lawns and beds.
Step 3: Pick how wet the soil is
Choose dry, moist or wet. That sets the tons per cubic yard, from about 1 to 1.35, so the weight matches what the yard will load.
Step 4: Compare bulk and bags
Enter the bag size and price and the bulk price per cubic yard. The result shows both, with the cheaper one flagged.
Topsoil by area and depth
Cubic yards and tons at 1.2 tons per yard.
| Area (sq ft) | 1 in | 2 in | 4 in | 6 in |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 | 0.31 yd³ · 0.4 t | 0.62 yd³ · 0.7 t | 1.23 yd³ · 1.5 t | 1.85 yd³ · 2.2 t |
| 500 | 1.54 yd³ · 1.9 t | 3.09 yd³ · 3.7 t | 6.17 yd³ · 7.4 t | 9.26 yd³ · 11.1 t |
| 1,000 | 3.09 yd³ · 3.7 t | 6.17 yd³ · 7.4 t | 12.35 yd³ · 14.8 t | 18.52 yd³ · 22.2 t |
| 2,000 | 6.17 yd³ · 7.4 t | 12.35 yd³ · 14.8 t | 24.69 yd³ · 29.6 t | 37.04 yd³ · 44.4 t |
How deep should topsoil be?
The depth depends on the job. The Old Farmer's Almanac and the University of Maryland Extension give these.
| Project | Topsoil depth | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Lawn leveling or repair, prep for seeding | 1 to 3 in | Almanac |
| Covering sown grass seed | ¼ to ½ in | UMD Extension |
| Under new sod | 4 to 6 in | Almanac |
| New garden bed over existing soil | 6 in | Almanac |
| Raised bed | 6 to 12 in | Almanac |
The Almanac defines topsoil as the top 2 to 8 inches of soil where most plant roots grow. New home sites typically have it removed during construction, according to UMD Extension, so many new lawns need topsoil brought in.
How much area does a yard of topsoil cover?
| Depth | One cubic yard covers |
|---|---|
| 1 in | 324 sq ft |
| 2 in | 162 sq ft |
| 3 in | 108 sq ft |
| 4 in | 81 sq ft |
| 6 in | 54 sq ft |
| 12 in | 27 sq ft |
Topsoil, garden soil and fill dirt
Topsoil
Screened native soil for lawns and beds. Fewer rocks and clumps, and best where it will be seen and planted.
Garden mix
Topsoil blended with compost. Use it for vegetables and flowers. See the soil calculator.
Fill dirt
Rougher, unscreened soil for building up low spots. Not for planting alone. See the fill dirt calculator.
Bagged topsoil
Convenient for small jobs. A yard is 36 bags of 0.75 cu ft or 27 bags of 1 cu ft.
Topsoil is the growing material. Mulch goes on top of it, not instead of it, so work out the mulch layer separately in the mulch calculator.
How much does a yard of topsoil weigh?
Topsoil.com gives 2,000 to 2,700 lb per cubic yard, or 1 to 1.35 tons. Inch Calculator says dry or loose soil weighs about 1.3 tons and wet or compacted soil about 1.7 tons. The calculator defaults to 1.2 tons for moist soil and lets you switch to dry or wet. Your supplier's figure beats ours.
Check a load before it's dumped
The University of Maryland Extension warns against topsoil that is very sandy or clayey, smells foul, or shows gray mottling. Ask to see a sample first.
Grading topsoil around a house
UMD Extension says an ideal slope away from buildings has a 1 to 2 percent grade, a drop of 1¼ to 2½ inches every 10 feet. Do not create a slope toward a building. Set the depth so the finished soil sits below the siding and slopes away.
Planting a lawn on the new soil? Work out the seed next.
Grass seed calculatorThe soil mix, the depth your crops need, and what can go in the bottom.
Read the guideTopsoil cost
Price depends on the region, the grade of soil and the delivery. Enter your bulk price per cubic yard, or per ton, and the price of a bag. The calculator shows each total. Add delivery, which a small load can make the biggest part of the bill.
Common topsoil mistakes
- Buying by the ton after rain. Wet topsoil weighs more, so you get less volume for the same tons.
- Forgetting settling. Fresh soil sinks. Order a little extra, or plan to top up.
- Using fill dirt for planting. It is unscreened and rough. Use screened topsoil or garden mix.
- Burying the siding. Keep the soil below the siding and slope it away from the house.
Before you order topsoil
Measure the area, choose the depth for the job, and let the topsoil calculator convert it to cubic yards, tons and bags. Compare bulk and bag prices with delivery included, and download the PDF report for your supplier.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a yard of topsoil weigh?
Topsoil.com says roughly 2,000 to 2,700 lb (1 to 1.35 tons) per cubic yard, depending on moisture. Inch Calculator puts dry or loose soil at about 1.3 tons and wet or compacted soil at about 1.7 tons. Ask your supplier which weight they use.
Is topsoil the same as garden soil?
No. Topsoil is screened native soil, usually sold for filling and leveling. Garden soil or bed mix is topsoil blended with compost for planting.
How many bags of topsoil make a yard?
A cubic yard is 27 cubic feet, so it takes 36 bags of 0.75 cu ft or 27 bags of 1 cu ft.
How much topsoil do I need for a new lawn?
The Old Farmer's Almanac suggests 4 to 6 inches under new sod and 1 to 3 inches to level low spots or prep for seeding. At 4 inches, 1,000 sq ft takes about 12.3 cubic yards.
How many square feet does a yard of topsoil cover?
324 divided by the depth in inches: 81 sq ft at 4 inches, 162 sq ft at 2 inches and 54 sq ft at 6 inches.
How accurate is the topsoil calculator?
It gives the exact volume for the area and depth you enter, and a weight from the moisture you pick. Soil settles, and loads vary, so round up and keep a little extra. Suppliers who sell by the ton weigh the soil as it is that day.
Do suppliers sell topsoil by the ton or by the yard?
Both. Inch Calculator notes that some sellers quote by the cubic yard and others by the ton. Use the calculator to convert between them and compare quotes in the same unit.
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