Pick your project, enter the size of the area, and see how many cubic yards of topsoil you need, plus bags, weight, truckloads and cost. The depth presets come from university extension guides, and the math is shown under the result.
Topsoil you need
18.52yd³
| Cubic feet | 500.0 ft³ |
| Cubic meters | 14.16 m³ |
| If you firm or roll it (+15 to 25%) | 21.30 to 23.15 yd³ |
| Weight | 40,000 lb (20.00 tons) |
| Bags | 500 bags of 1 cu ft |
| Truckloads | 2 (at 10 yd³ per load) |
| Cost | Enter a price per yd³ |
Area: 40 ft × 25 ft = 1,000.0 sq ft. Depth: 6 in ÷ 12 = 0.5 ft. 1,000.0 × 0.5 = 500.0 ft³ ÷ 27 = 18.52 yd³.
Estimate based on your inputs and the assumptions on this page. Disclaimer
How much topsoil do I need?
Use cubic yards = length (ft) × width (ft) × depth (ft) ÷ 27. One cubic yard holds 27 cubic feet, so dividing by 27 turns cubic feet into yards.
- Measure the length and width in feet and multiply them to get square feet.
- Choose the depth for your project and divide the inches by 12 to get feet.
- Multiply square feet by depth in feet to get cubic feet.
- Divide by 27 to get cubic yards.
- If you will firm or roll the soil, order 15 to 25 percent more so the finished layer still reaches your depth.
Example: a new lawn 40 ft × 25 ft is 1,000 sq ft. At 6 in deep that is 1,000 × 0.5 = 500 cubic feet, and 500 ÷ 27 = 18.52 cubic yards. With 15 to 25 percent extra for firming, order about 21.3 to 23.2 cubic yards.
| Depth | Topsoil for 1,000 sq ft | Topsoil for 500 sq ft |
|---|---|---|
| 1/2 in | 1.54 yd³ | 0.77 yd³ |
| 1 in | 3.09 yd³ | 1.54 yd³ |
| 2 in | 6.17 yd³ | 3.09 yd³ |
| 3 in | 9.26 yd³ | 4.63 yd³ |
| 4 in | 12.35 yd³ | 6.17 yd³ |
| 6 in | 18.52 yd³ | 9.26 yd³ |
How deep should topsoil be?
It depends on the job. These are the depths university extension services publish. The calculator’s project menu uses the same numbers.
| Project | Topsoil depth | Source |
|---|---|---|
| New lawn from seed or sod | 4 in minimum, 6 in or more recommended; 4 to 6 in after firming | New Mexico State University |
| New lawn (second opinion) | At least 6 in of good soil | Iowa State University |
| Lawn on clay or eroded ground | Adding up to 3 in may be needed | Clemson University |
| Covering new grass seed | About 1/4 to 1/2 in of topsoil or compost | University of Maryland |
| Raised bed: leafy greens, beans, cucumbers | At least 8 in | University of Maryland |
| Raised bed: peppers, tomatoes, squash | 12 to 24 in | University of Maryland |
For a lawn, the depth is the finished topsoil after it is firmed, not the loose depth when it is dumped. NMSU Extension says to rototill the topsoil and organic matter to at least 6 in, and Iowa State says to work additions into the top 4 to 6 in, so new topsoil blends with the ground below instead of sitting on it as a separate layer.
How much does a yard of topsoil cover?
One cubic yard covers 324 sq ft at 1 in deep, 81 sq ft at 4 in and 54 sq ft at 6 in. To work it out, divide 27 by the depth in feet, or divide 324 by the depth in inches.
| Depth | Area 1 yd³ covers |
|---|---|
| 1/2 in | 648 sq ft |
| 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 |
| 8 in | 40.5 sq ft |
| 12 in | 27 sq ft |
Topsoil for raised beds
Multiply the inside length × width × soil depth in feet. A bed usually holds a blend, not straight topsoil: University of Maryland Extension suggests compost and purchased topsoil in a 1:2 or 1:1 ratio for beds over poor soil, and compost with a soilless growing mix 1:1 on hard surfaces.
| Bed (inside) | Soil depth | Volume | 1 cu ft bags | 0.75 cu ft bags |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 × 8 ft | 8 in | 21.3 ft³ (0.79 yd³) | 22 | 29 |
| 4 × 8 ft | 12 in | 32 ft³ (1.19 yd³) | 32 | 43 |
| 4 × 4 ft | 12 in | 16 ft³ (0.59 yd³) | 16 | 22 |
| 3 × 6 ft | 12 in | 18 ft³ (0.67 yd³) | 18 | 24 |
Example: a 4 × 8 ft bed filled 12 in deep holds 32 cubic feet. At a 1:2 compost-to-topsoil mix, that is about 10.7 cubic feet of compost and 21.3 cubic feet of topsoil. For several beds of the same size, set Number of areas in the calculator.
How many bags of topsoil are in a yard?
Divide 27 by the bag size in cubic feet. Bags make sense for a bed or two. For a lawn, bulk delivery is usually far less work and money.
| Bag size | Bags per cubic yard |
|---|---|
| 0.75 cu ft | 36 |
| 1 cu ft | 27 |
| 1.5 cu ft | 18 |
| 2 cu ft | 13.5 (buy 14) |
How much does a yard of topsoil weigh?
About 2,160 lb, or 1.08 US tons, per cubic yard. Engineering ToolBox does not list topsoil itself, so we use its figure for loam (80 lb per cubic foot), the soil type most topsoil is sold as. Loose dirt comes in lighter at 2,052 lb dry and 2,106 lb moist, and wet soil weighs more.
| Soil | lb per ft³ | lb per yd³ | Tons per yd³ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loam | 80 | 2,160 | 1.08 |
| Loose dirt, moist | 78 | 2,106 | 1.05 |
| Loose dirt, dry | 76 | 2,052 | 1.03 |
How much does topsoil cost?
HomeGuide lists bulk topsoil at $10 to $35 per cubic yard unscreened and $20 to $40 screened, before delivery. Delivery runs $50 to $150 per trip according to HomeGuide, and $80 to $170 according to Lawn Love. Screened topsoil costs more because it is sifted to remove rocks and clumps.
| Type | Price |
|---|---|
| Unscreened topsoil | $10 to $35 per yd³ |
| Screened topsoil | $20 to $40 per yd³ |
| Black dirt | $15 to $25 per yd³ |
| Bagged topsoil, 40 lb (1 to 1.5 cu ft) | $2 to $6 per bag |
| Truckload, 10 to 15 yd³, delivered | $150 to $500 |
Example: the 1,000 sq ft lawn above needs 18.52 cubic yards. Screened topsoil at $20 to $40 per yard is about $370 to $741 before delivery. The same 500 cubic feet in 40 lb bags would be 334 to 500 bags, or roughly $670 to $3,000. More on prices in How much is a yard of dirt?
Before you order
- Buy screened topsoil for the layer plants root in. Anything buried deeper can be cheaper fill dirt.
- Measure depth in several spots, and use the Dirt Calculator for triangles or odd shapes.
- Ask the supplier whether they sell by the cubic yard or the ton, how much one load holds, and whether there is a minimum order.
- Check that a dump truck can reach the drop spot, and put a tarp down if it will sit on a driveway.
- Call 811 a few days before you till or dig so buried utility lines can be marked. The service is free.
Frequently asked questions
How much topsoil do I need for 1,000 square feet?
12.35 cubic yards at 4 inches deep and 18.52 cubic yards at 6 inches deep. Multiply square feet by the depth in feet and divide by 27.
How deep should topsoil be for a new lawn?
New Mexico State University Extension puts the absolute minimum at 4 inches and recommends 6 inches or more. Iowa State University says at least 6 inches of good soil.
How much area does a yard of topsoil cover?
324 sq ft at 1 inch deep, 162 sq ft at 2 inches, 81 sq ft at 4 inches and 54 sq ft at 6 inches.
How many bags of topsoil make a yard?
27 bags of 1 cubic foot, 36 bags of 0.75 cubic feet, 18 bags of 1.5 cubic feet, or 14 bags of 2 cubic feet.
How much soil do I need for a 4 × 8 raised bed?
At 12 inches deep, a 4 × 8 ft bed holds 32 cubic feet (1.19 cubic yards): 32 bags of 1 cubic foot or 43 bags of 0.75 cubic feet. At 8 inches deep it holds 21.3 cubic feet.
How much does a yard of topsoil weigh?
About 2,160 lb (1.08 tons), based on Engineering ToolBox’s loam density of 80 lb per cubic foot. Wet topsoil weighs more.
How much does a yard of topsoil cost?
HomeGuide lists $10 to $35 per cubic yard for unscreened topsoil and $20 to $40 for screened, before a delivery fee of about $50 to $150.
Sources
- New Mexico State University, Turfgrass Establishment (Guide H-509), Bernd Leinauer, revised December 2016.
- Iowa State University, How do I establish a new lawn from seed?, March 20, 2024.
- Clemson University HGIC, Lawn Establishment, updated February 29, 2024.
- University of Maryland Extension, Starting a New Lawn, and Growing Vegetables in Raised Beds, updated March 26, 2026.
- Engineering ToolBox, Dirt and Mud Densities, and Soil and Rock Bulking Factors (loam swell of 15 to 25 percent, used for the firming range).
- HomeGuide, Fill Dirt, Sand and Topsoil Delivery Costs, by Sarah Noel, September 8, 2023; Lawn Love, How Much Does Topsoil Cost, by Melanie Joseph, updated December 27, 2025.
- Unit conversions: 1 cubic yard = 27 cubic feet = 0.7646 cubic meters; 1 US ton = 2,000 lb.