Topsoil Calculator
Topsoil is the nutrient-rich upper layer of soil for establishing lawns, filling garden beds and raised beds, and regrading. Work out exactly how much you need below.
Sets a typical depth — tweak anything below.
For a 20 ft × 10 ft area at 2 in deep, order about 1.36 cubic yards (1.49 US tons) of topsoil.
Estimates only. Densities vary by moisture, compaction and supplier — confirm quantities before ordering.
What is topsoil?
Topsoil is the upper, nutrient-rich layer of soil — a blend of organic matter with sand, silt and clay. Screened topsoil has been sifted to remove rocks, roots and debris for an even, workable fill.
What is topsoil used for?
Used to fill and level garden beds, establish or repair lawns, build raised beds, and regrade low spots. It's sold by the cubic yard, and its weight varies a lot with moisture content.
How much does topsoil weigh?
A cubic yard of topsoil weighs about 1.10 US tons — roughly 1300 kg/m³, or about 81 lb/ft³. Moisture and compaction shift this, so the calculator applies this density and lets you change it in the extra options if your supplier quotes a different figure.
Coverage by depth
| Depth | Coverage per ton | Coverage per cubic yard |
|---|---|---|
| 1 inch | ~296 sq ft | 324 sq ft |
| 2 inches | ~148 sq ft | 162 sq ft |
| 3 inches | ~99 sq ft | 108 sq ft |
| 4 inches | ~74 sq ft | 81 sq ft |
| 6 inches | ~49 sq ft | 54 sq ft |
Based on about 1300 kg/m³. Actual coverage varies with compaction and moisture.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Guessing the depth. Too shallow and the material shifts and shows the ground beneath. Most surface layers want 2–4 inches; load-bearing bases are built up thicker.
- Forgetting to convert inches to feet. Depth is quoted in inches but volume math is in feet — 4 inches is 0.33 ft, not 4. The calculator handles this, but hand estimates often don't.
- Skipping the waste allowance. Ground is never perfectly flat and material settles once it's placed. Order 5–10% extra so a small shortfall doesn't trigger a second delivery.
- Using the wrong density. Each material weighs differently, so tonnage can be off by 20%+ if you use a generic figure. Pick the right material and adjust the density if your supplier differs.
- Buying bags for a big job. Bagged material costs far more per cubic yard than bulk. Past roughly one cubic yard, a bulk delivery is almost always cheaper.
Frequently asked questions
How much topsoil for a new lawn?+
A 4–6 inch layer of topsoil is recommended for a healthy new lawn. Enter your lawn area and that depth to get the cubic yards to order.
How deep should topsoil be for raised beds?+
Most raised beds are filled 8–12 inches deep with a topsoil/compost mix. Enter the bed's inside area and depth for the volume.
What's the difference between topsoil, garden soil, and compost?+
Topsoil is plain screened dirt — the bulk fill for leveling ground, patching a lawn, or building up a bed. Compost is decomposed organic matter, rich in nutrients but too strong and loose to use alone. Garden soil is usually topsoil already blended with compost and sold for planting. For a raised bed, a common mix is roughly topsoil and compost together; for filling low spots or under new sod, plain topsoil is what you want.
How much does a yard of topsoil weigh and cover?+
A cubic yard of topsoil weighs roughly 1 to 1.3 tons dry — more when wet — and covers about 100 square feet at 3 inches deep, or 160 square feet at 2 inches. Moisture swings the weight a lot, which is why topsoil is sold and priced by volume (the cubic yard) rather than by the ton.