How to use this topsoil calculator
Plan garden beds, lawn leveling and raised planting areas. Measure the longest and widest sides in feet and the material depth in inches. The tool estimates cubic yards and converts to short tons using the density you enter. Apply an allowance for uneven ground, compaction, or spillage as appropriate to the material.
Important assumptions
Topsoil density varies widely with moisture and composition. Use an actual supplier weight if buying by the ton; the default is illustrative.
Formula used
Volume (cubic yards) = length (ft) × width (ft) × depth (in) ÷ 324. Then multiply by (1 + your additional allowance as a decimal). Estimated US short tons = cubic yards × your density in US short tons per cubic yard.
For bulk material, enter price per yard or ton as labelled. The calculator adds any delivery fee entered, but does not automatically include tax, labor, permits or disposal.
Common project planning mistakes
- Confusing cubic yards of volume with tons of weight.
- Ordering by loose volume when your specifications refer to compacted depth.
- Assuming one dump truck can legally transport every material at the same payload.
- Using a national average price instead of requesting a local supplier quote.
Disclaimer: These estimates are for planning only and do not replace engineering specifications or quotes.
Example topsoil quantities
These examples use rectangular measurements with no extra allowance. The weight column uses an illustrative density; replace it with your supplier’s figure.
| Project size | Depth | Cubic yards | Weight at 1.2 US tons/yd³ |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 × 10 ft | 2 in | 0.62 | 0.74 US tons |
| 20 × 10 ft | 3 in | 1.85 | 2.22 US tons |
| 40 × 12 ft | 4 in | 5.93 | 7.11 US tons |
For bag counts and multiple garden beds, use the raised-bed soil calculator.
Common questions
How much topsoil covers a lawn?
Coverage depends on added depth. One cubic yard spread 1 inch deep covers 324 square feet before settling; at 2 inches it covers 162 square feet. Enter the new layer you plan to add, not the total soil profile.
Should I order topsoil by yards or tons?
Use the unit offered by your supplier. This tool displays both volume and estimated weight, but its topsoil price input is per US ton. Moisture and soil composition can change weight without changing the project’s geometric volume.
What if I need soil for a raised garden bed?
Use the raised-bed soil calculator for multiple identical beds, bag sizes and a direct bulk-versus-bagged cost comparison. Use interior bed dimensions and subtract existing fill before calculating the remaining soil depth.
Understand cubic yards, US tons and supplier conversion factors →