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Topsoil Calculator

How much topsoil to order for garden beds, new lawns and filling low spots, in cubic yards, tons and bags.

Area
Shape
Soil
Soil
Wet soil weighs more. If your supplier sells by the ton and quotes tons per yard, use their figure.
%
Loose topsoil settles after it is spread and watered. Add more if you are filling a low spot.
Your price
Your price
$
Leave at 0 to skip the cost estimate.
Price is
Topsoil to order 2.72 cubic yards That's 2.93 tons (73.3 cu ft) to cover 200 sq ft, including 10% for settling.

Amount

Weight
2.93 tons
Weight
5,867 lb
Volume
73.3 cu ft

Bags

Bags
98 bags

Area

Area covered
200 sq ft
Cubic yards before settling
2.47 cu yd

Cost

How much topsoil do I need?

Multiply the area in square feet by the depth in feet (inches ÷ 12), then divide by 27 to get cubic yards. Add about 10% because loose soil settles. A 20 × 10 ft bed filled 4 inches deep needs 2.72 cubic yards of topsoil, about 2.93 tons.

Worked example: a 20 × 10 ft garden bed, 4 inches deep

A garden bed 20 feet long and 10 feet wide filled 4 inches deep with topsoil, plus 10 percent extra for settling. Length 20 ft Width 10 ft Depth 4 in Loose soil settles: add ~10% 20 × 10 × ⅓ ft = 66.7 cu ft → 2.72 cu yd
  1. Area: 20 × 10 = 200 sq ft.
  2. Volume: 4 in is 1/3 ft, so 200 × 1/3 = 66.7 cu ft (2.47 cu yd).
  3. Settling: add 10%: 73.3 cu ft = 2.72 cu yd.
  4. Weight: topsoil (loam) weighs about 80 lb per cu ft, which is 1.08 tons per cubic yard, so about 2.93 tons (5,867 lb).
  5. Bags: in 0.75 cu ft bags that's 98 bags. A bulk delivery is far easier at this size.

How far a cubic yard of topsoil goes

Area covered by one cubic yard at common depths. No settling allowance is included.

Depth1 cubic yard covers
1 in (top dressing)324 sq ft
2 in162 sq ft
3 in108 sq ft
4 in81 sq ft
6 in54 sq ft
12 in (raised bed)27 sq ft

One cubic yard is 27 cu ft, which is 324 sq ft at 1 inch deep. It takes 36 bags of 0.75 cu ft, 27 bags of 1 cu ft or 18 bags of 1.5 cu ft to make a cubic yard.

Cubic yards, tons or bags?

Landscape yards usually sell topsoil by the cubic yard. Some sell by the ton, and garden centers sell bags. The calculator gives all three.

Topsoil weight depends on how wet it is and what it's made of. We use about 80 lb per cubic foot for loam (1.08 tons per cubic yard). If your supplier sells by the ton and gives a tons-per-yard figure, choose "My supplier's figure" and enter it.

Why add extra for settling

Delivered topsoil is loose. Once it is spread, walked on and watered, it settles and loses height. 10% extra is a sensible minimum for beds and lawns. When filling a hole or a low spot, add more, or plan to top it up after the first heavy rain.

Before you order

  • Measure the finished depth you want after settling, not the depth of loose soil.
  • Ask what you're getting: screened topsoil, a garden blend with compost, or fill dirt. Fill dirt is for grading, not growing.
  • Plan the drop spot: a cubic yard of topsoil weighs about a ton. Have it tipped close to where it is needed and on a tarp if it lands on a lawn.
  • Bags vs bulk: a cubic yard takes 36 bags of 0.75 cu ft. Above about a cubic yard, bulk is usually much cheaper.

Frequently asked questions

How many bags of topsoil make a cubic yard?
36 bags of 0.75 cu ft, 27 bags of 1 cu ft, or 18 bags of 1.5 cu ft, because a cubic yard is 27 cubic feet.
How much does a cubic yard of topsoil weigh?
About 2,160 lb (1.08 tons) for loam at 80 lb per cubic foot. Wet topsoil weighs more.
How much area does a yard of topsoil cover?
324 sq ft at 1 inch, 162 sq ft at 2 inches, 108 sq ft at 3 inches, 81 sq ft at 4 inches and 54 sq ft at 6 inches.
How much topsoil do I need for a raised bed?
Multiply length × width × height in feet and divide by 27. A 4 × 8 ft bed 12 inches deep holds 32 cu ft, or about 1.2 cubic yards. Add about 10% for settling.
How do I convert cubic yards of topsoil to tons?
Multiply cubic yards by the weight per cubic yard: about 1.08 for loam. So 5 cubic yards is about 5.4 tons.

Guides

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Sources and method

Last checked October 12, 2026. How we build and test every calculator: methodology.