Topsoil calculator
Enter the area and how deep you're adding soil. You'll get cubic yards, an estimated weight in tons, and the number of bags.
- Cubic feet
- –
- Approx. weight (tons)
- –
- 0.75 cu ft bags
- –
- 1 cu ft bags
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Weight assumes about 1.1 tons per cubic yard. Wet soil weighs more.
How much topsoil depth do I need?
| Project | Depth |
|---|---|
| Top dressing a lawn | ¼–½ in |
| Filling low spots | 1–2 in |
| New lawn | 4–6 in |
| New garden beds | 6–12 in |
How the math works
Area in square feet times depth in feet gives cubic feet, and dividing by 27 gives cubic yards. A 20 by 20 foot area at 4 inches deep needs about 133 cubic feet, or 4.9 cubic yards. That's roughly 5.4 tons.
Common questions
How much does a cubic yard of topsoil weigh?
Usually around 1 to 1.3 tons, depending on how wet it is and how much clay or sand it contains. Suppliers that sell by the ton can tell you their own number.
Will my truck carry it?
Most half-ton pickups can safely carry about half a cubic yard of soil. Check your vehicle's payload rating before loading, or pay for delivery.
Should I buy screened topsoil?
For lawns and gardens, yes. Screened soil has rocks, roots and clumps removed, so it spreads evenly. Unscreened fill dirt is fine for filling deep holes that won't be planted.
More yard calculators
- Mulch calculatorCubic yards and bags for beds, borders and tree rings.
- Raised bed soil calculatorHow much soil, compost and mix to fill one bed or several.
- Grass seed calculatorPounds of seed for a new lawn or overseeding, by grass type.
- Gravel calculatorTons and cubic yards for paths, patios and driveways.