Topsoil Calculator (Cubic Yards, Tons and Bags)

Enter the area (or its length and width) and the depth of soil you need, and this topsoil calculator gives cubic yards, cubic metres, tons and bags, with an allowance for the settling that happens after the first rain. It uses published bulk densities for loose soil so the weight is realistic for a delivery or a truck load.

Topsoil calculator

How it works

Volume = area × depth (inches ÷ 12) × (1 + settling)
Cubic yards = cubic feet ÷ 27; a yard covers 81 sq ft at 4 in
Tons = cubic feet × density ÷ 2,000: loose dry dirt about 76 lb per cu ft, loose moist 78, screened damp soil or compost blends up to 100 (Engineering ToolBox)
Bags = cubic feet ÷ bag volume (a 40 lb bag is about 0.75 cu ft)

Worked example

Topsoil for a new 30 × 20 ft lawn area, 4 in deep, with 10% for settling:

Units: Feet and inches
Measure by: Length and width
Length: 30 ft
Width: 20 ft
Depth: 4 in
Soil condition: Loose, moist (about 78 lb per cu ft)
Bag size: 40 lb bag (about 0.75 cu ft)
Extra for settling: 10%
Price per cubic yard (optional): $0

The calculator gives:

Topsoil to order: 8.15 cu yd (6.23 m³) including 10% for settling
Weight: 8.58 tons (7.78 tonnes) at 78 lb per cu ft
Bags: 294 × 0.75 cu ft bags
Area and depth: 600 sq ft at 4 in

200 cu ft plus 10% is 220 cu ft, 8.15 cubic yards, or about 8.6 tons of moist soil: two dump-truck loads or 294 bags of 40 lb. At that size, bagged soil is impractical; order bulk by the yard.

Material and waste notes

A 4 in layer of new topsoil is enough for seeding a lawn on decent subsoil; a raised bed is usually 8 to 12 in.
Topsoil density varies with moisture and organic content. Bagged garden soil is lighter and fluffier than screened field topsoil.
Delivery trucks carry 5 to 15 yards; ask about minimums and whether the yard is measured loose.
Grade to shed water away from the house; do not bury siding or weep holes.

Frequently asked questions

How many yards of topsoil do I need?

Area in square feet × depth in inches ÷ 324. A 1,000 sq ft area at 4 in needs 12.3 cubic yards.

How much does a yard of topsoil weigh?

About 2,000 to 2,700 lb depending on moisture: loose moist soil is around 78 lb per cu ft, or 2,100 lb per yard.

How many 40 lb bags of topsoil in a yard?

About 36 bags of 0.75 cu ft each.

How much topsoil for a raised bed?

A 4 × 8 ft bed 12 in deep is 32 cu ft, 1.2 cubic yards, or about 43 bags of 40 lb. Many people fill the bottom with cheaper fill and top with garden soil.

How deep should topsoil be for grass?

4 to 6 in of good topsoil over loosened subsoil for a new lawn; 1/4 to 1/2 in as a top-dressing over an existing lawn.

Sources

Last reviewed: 26 September 2026. The calculation is covered by automated tests with known answers taken from the sources above. Found an error? Please let us know.