Topsoil Calculator
Calculate cubic yards and tons of topsoil needed for lawns, gardens, and raised beds. Compare bulk vs bagged pricing.
Filtered, weed-free, ideal for gardens
How to Use This Calculator
Getting the right amount of topsoil ensures healthy plants without overspending. Here's how to calculate your needs:
- Measure your area dimensions in feet, or calculate the total square footage for irregular shapes.
- Determine the depth needed: 4-6 inches for new lawns, 8-12 inches for raised beds, 1-2 inches for top-dressing.
- Select your soil type based on the project - screened topsoil for lawns, garden mix for planting beds.
- Enter local bulk pricing to estimate costs and compare to bagged options.
- Click 'Calculate' to see cubic yards, bags, and tons needed.
Why This Matters
Quality topsoil is the foundation for healthy plants. Too little soil leads to poor root development and stressed plants. Too much is a waste of money. Knowing the exact quantity also helps you choose between bulk delivery and bags - bulk is typically 60-70% cheaper for larger projects.
- Calculate exact cubic yards for bulk ordering
- Know bag counts if bulk isn't practical
- Compare bulk vs bag pricing to save money
- Ensure proper depth for your specific project
- Plan for delivery needs (truck capacity)
Worked Examples
New Lawn Installation
A 2,000 sq ft front yard needs 4 inches of topsoil before seeding.
Calculation: 2,000 sq ft × (4/12) ft = 667 cu ft = 24.7 cubic yards
Result: Order 25 cubic yards bulk (~27.5 tons). At $35/yard, expect ~$875 plus delivery.
Raised Garden Beds
Four 4×8 raised beds, 10 inches deep each.
Calculation: 4 beds × 32 sq ft × (10/12) ft = 107 cu ft = 4 cubic yards
Result: Order 4 cubic yards of garden mix. This is borderline for bulk delivery - check minimums.
Top-Dressing Existing Lawn
1,500 sq ft lawn needs 1 inch of compost for improvement.
Calculation: 1,500 sq ft × (1/12) ft = 125 cu ft = 4.6 cubic yards
Result: Order 5 cubic yards of compost. At 0.6 tons/yard, this weighs only ~3 tons.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Ordering the wrong type - fill dirt is for grading only, not planting. Use screened topsoil or garden mix for plants.
- Underestimating depth for new lawns - 4-6 inches minimum for healthy root development.
- Buying bags when bulk is cheaper - for 3+ cubic yards, bulk delivery usually saves 60-70%.
- Not accounting for settling - fresh topsoil settles 10-15%. Order slightly more than calculated.
- Ignoring soil quality - cheap unscreened topsoil may contain weed seeds, rocks, and debris.