How Much Does a Yard of Topsoil Weigh? (Pounds and Tons)
Short answer: a cubic yard of topsoil (loam) weighs about 2,160 lb, or 1.08 tons, based on Engineering ToolBox’s figure of 80 lb per cubic foot. Wet, heavy or clay-rich soil weighs more, up to about 1.5 tons a yard for wet clay.
To work out how many yards and tons your bed or lawn needs, use the topsoil calculator.
Weight per cubic yard by soil type
| Material | lb per cu ft | lb per cu yd | Tons per cu yd |
|---|---|---|---|
| Topsoil (loam) | 80 | 2,160 | 1.08 |
| Dirt, loose and dry | 76 | 2,052 | 1.03 |
| Dirt, loose and moist | 78 | 2,106 | 1.05 |
| Clay, dry | 100 | 2,700 | 1.35 |
| Clay, wet | 110 | 2,970 | 1.49 |
A cubic yard is 27 cubic feet, so multiply the pounds per cubic foot by 27. Divide by 2,000 for US tons.
Why topsoil weights vary
- Water. Soil delivered after rain carries extra water weight. Ask for it dry if you’re paying by the ton.
- Clay content. Clay is denser than loam, so a clay-heavy blend weighs more per yard.
- The blend. Compost, sand or other material mixed in changes the weight, so ask your supplier for their figure.
Suppliers who sell by the ton weigh each load. If you need a set volume, order by the cubic yard.
Weight of common amounts (loam, 1.08 tons per yard)
| Cubic yards | Pounds | Tons | 0.75 cu ft bags |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2,160 | 1.08 | 36 |
| 2 | 4,320 | 2.16 | 72 |
| 3 | 6,480 | 3.24 | 108 |
| 5 | 10,800 | 5.4 | 180 |
| 10 | 21,600 | 10.8 | 360 |
One yard weighs more than a ton. Check your truck’s payload rating before you haul it yourself, or have it delivered.
How much a 100 sq ft area needs
| Depth | Cubic yards | Tons |
|---|---|---|
| 2 in | 0.62 | 0.67 |
| 3 in | 0.93 | 1.00 |
| 4 in | 1.23 | 1.33 |
| 6 in | 1.85 | 2.00 |
| 12 in | 3.70 | 4.00 |
Loose topsoil settles after watering, so the calculator adds 10% extra by default.
Common questions
How many tons is a yard of topsoil?
About 1.08 tons for loam. Clay-heavy or wet soil can run to about 1.5 tons.
How many bags of topsoil make a yard?
36 bags of 0.75 cu ft, 27 bags of 1 cu ft, or 18 bags of 1.5 cu ft.
How much does a ton of topsoil cover?
About 75 sq ft at 4 inches deep, or 100 sq ft at 3 inches (from the table above).
Is topsoil heavier than mulch?
Yes, much heavier. Mulch is mostly wood and air, which is why it’s sold by volume, not weight.
Sources
- Engineering ToolBox: densities of dirt and mud: loam 80 lb/ft³; dirt 76 dry, 78 moist; clay 100 dry, 110 wet.
- Scotts Premium Topsoil, 0.75 cu ft and Ace All Purpose Top Soil: common bag sizes.