Topsoil Calculator
Calculate how much topsoil you need in cubic yards, tons, and bags for a lawn, garden bed, or fill area based on your area and depth.
Cubic yards
1.23yd³
Tons
1.67tons
Bags
45bags
Volume
33ft³
Bulk topsoil (by the cubic yard) is almost always cheaper than bags once you need more than about 1-2 cubic yards. Add 5-10% extra to account for settling after it's spread and watered in.
How the topsoil calculator works
Topsoil is calculated the same way as mulch or gravel: figure out the volume of the area you're covering, then convert that volume into whichever unit your supplier sells — cubic yards or tons for bulk delivery, bags for small areas.
Formula: volume (ft³) = length × width × (depth ÷ 12). Cubic yards = volume ÷ 27. Tons = cubic yards × 1.35. Bags = volume ÷ bag size, rounded up.
Frequently asked questions
1-2 inches is typical for topdressing an existing lawn. New beds, leveling low spots, or building up a planting area usually call for 4-6 inches or more, depending on what you're growing.
Screened topsoil runs about 1.35 tons per cubic yard (roughly 2,100 lb) when dry. Wet or compacted soil can weigh noticeably more, up to 2,400-2,700 lb per cubic yard.
It depends on bag size — a standard 40 lb bag is typically around 0.5-0.75 cubic feet, meaning it takes roughly 36-54 bags to equal one cubic yard (27 cu ft). Check your specific bag's labeled volume and adjust the bag size field above.
Bulk (delivered by the cubic yard) is almost always cheaper once you need more than 1-2 cubic yards. Bagged topsoil is more convenient for small areas or when you don't have truck access for a bulk delivery.