WheelbarrowMath

Topsoil Calculator

Work out how many cubic yards or bags of topsoil you need for a new lawn, a garden bed, or a raised bed.

Area to fill
  1. Area 1
    ft
    ft

For an odd shape, split it into rectangles, circles, and triangles; they're added together.

in

Use at least 4 in under new sod. Raised beds need 8 in for greens and 12 in or more for tomatoes and squash.Use at least 10 cm under new sod. Raised beds need 20 cm for greens and 30 cm or more for tomatoes and squash.

%

Loose soil settles after it's watered in. 10% is a common cushion; set 0 for an exact volume.

Bag size
Prices (typical US prices; edit for your area)

Typically $2–$6 a bag.

/yd³

Typically $10–$50 a yard, or $20–$40 for screened topsoil.Typically $13–$65 a m³, or $26–$52 for screened topsoil.

Typically $50–$150 a trip.

Your Results

Calculating …

How Much Topsoil Do I Need?

Cubic yards = square feet × depth in inches ÷ 324

For bags, use cubic feet instead: cubic feet = square feet × depth in inches ÷ 12, then divide by the bag size.

Worked example: a new lawn. A 20 × 15 ft area is 300 sq ft. At 4 in deep that’s 300 × 4 ÷ 324 = 3.7 cubic yards. With 10% extra for settling, order 4.07 yards, so 4.5 yards in bulk, or 110 bags of 1 cu ft.

Worked example: a raised bed. An 8 × 4 ft bed filled 12 in deep holds 32 cubic feet (1.19 yards). With 10% extra that’s 35.2 cubic feet, or 36 bags of 1 cu ft.

Topsoil for every 100 sq ft
DepthCubic yards1 cu ft bags
2 in0.6217
4 in1.2334
6 in1.8550
8 in2.4767
12 in3.70100

How Deep Should Topsoil Be?

  • New lawn: at least 4 in under sod, according to University of Nebraska–Lincoln turf specialists, worked into the top 4–6 in of existing soil.
  • Raised beds: at least 8 in for leafy greens, beans, and cucumbers; and 12–24 in for tomatoes, peppers, and squash (University of Maryland Extension).
  • Topping up a bed or leveling low spots: usually 1–2 in at a time, so you don’t smother the grass or plants underneath.

Topsoil or a Garden Mix?

Plain topsoil is fine for lawns and grading. For raised beds, University of Maryland Extension suggests mixing compost with topsoil, about 1 part compost to 1–2 parts topsoil, or compost with a soilless growing mix if the bed sits on pavement. Many yards sell a ready blend.

Why Add Extra for Settling?

Loose soil settles once it’s watered and walked on, so a bed filled exactly to the top will sit lower in a few weeks. The calculator adds 10% by default. That’s a common cushion, not a fixed rule; set it to 0 if you only want the exact volume.

Bags or Bulk?

At $4 for a 1 cu ft bag, topsoil costs $108 a cubic yard in bags. Bulk at $30 a yard plus $100 delivery catches up at about 1.3 yards, so bulk wins for anything bigger than a couple of raised beds. Bags win for small jobs and places a truck can’t reach.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Much Does a Yard of Topsoil Weigh?

Dry, screened topsoil weighs about 1,000 lb a cubic yard. Wet topsoil can weigh more than 3,000 lb, so a full pickup of wet soil can be a lot heavier than you’d expect.

How Many Bags of Topsoil Are in a Cubic Yard?

A cubic yard is 27 cubic feet, so it’s 27 bags of 1 cu ft, 36 bags of 0.75 cu ft, or 18 bags of 1.5 cu ft.

How Deep Should Topsoil Be for a New Lawn?

University of Nebraska–Lincoln recommends at least 4 in of topsoil under new sod, worked to a depth of 4–6 in.

How Deep Should a Raised Bed Be?

University of Maryland Extension recommends at least 8 in for leafy greens, beans, and cucumbers; and 12–24 in for tomatoes, peppers, and squash.

How Much Does Topsoil Cost?

Bulk topsoil is typically $10–$50 a cubic yard, with screened topsoil about $20–$40. Bags run $2–$6 each, and delivery is usually $50–$150 a trip.

Sources

Prices are national ballparks checked October 2026. Local prices vary.