Topsoil Calculator - Cubic Yards, Bags, Tons & Cost
Topsoil volume is lawn or bed area times depth. The calculator converts to cubic yards, bags, approximate tons, and cost with a settling allowance.
Bag volume printed on the product bag, not bag weight.
Percent added for cuts, waste, settlement, or field loss.
Cost uses the rounded bag count.
Change any value and the results, formula, and diagram update immediately. Use the same unit system throughout one estimate.
Topsoil Quick Reference
Topsoil needed for common lawn and bed sizes at typical depths. Bags shown are 1 cu ft (40 lb) and 1.5 cu ft retail bags.
| Area | 2 in topdress | 4 in lawn prep | 6 in new bed | @ 1 cu ft bags (4 in) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 sq ft | 0.62 yd³ | 1.23 yd³ | 1.85 yd³ | 33 bags |
| 500 sq ft | 3.08 yd³ | 6.17 yd³ | 9.26 yd³ | 167 bags |
| 1000 sq ft | 6.17 yd³ | 12.35 yd³ | 18.5 yd³ | 333 bags |
| 2000 sq ft (lawn) | 12.35 yd³ | 24.7 yd³ | 37 yd³ | 667 bags |
| 5000 sq ft (large lawn) | 30.9 yd³ | 61.7 yd³ | 92.6 yd³ | 1667 bags |
One cubic yard of topsoil covers 100 sq ft at 3 in deep. Topsoil weighs 1,200-2,000 lb per yd³ depending on moisture - much heavier than mulch.
How Deep Topsoil Needs To Be
- New lawn from seed or sod: 4-6 inches of topsoil over compacted base.
- Top-dressing existing lawn: 1/4 to 1/2 inch annually for soil improvement. Spread thin so grass blades still show.
- New garden beds: 6-12 inches of garden mix (topsoil + compost) for vegetables; 4-6 in for flowers.
- Raised beds: 12-18 inches deep with a mix of topsoil, compost, and amendments.
- Trees and shrubs: 12-24 inches at planting hole, native soil mixed with 25-50% compost.
- Levelling low spots: match the surrounding grade; 1-3 inches fills typical depressions.
Soil Types - Pick The Right One
Screened topsoil
Native topsoil run through a screen to remove rocks, roots, and debris. The default for filling lawns and beds. Quality varies by region.
Premium garden mix / triple mix
Topsoil blended with compost and sometimes peat (1/3 each). Best for vegetable gardens and new planting beds. Higher cost.
Lawn soil
Sandy loam blend, lighter, drains better. Used under sod and seed.
Fill dirt / common fill
Unscreened soil, often with rocks and clay. Cheap. For building up grade where nothing grows - not for plant beds.
Compost
Pure decomposed organic matter. Soil amendment, not a soil itself. Mix 1:3 with topsoil for new beds; top-dress lawns at 1/4 in.
Bagged potting / planting mix
Peat, perlite, vermiculite, sometimes fertilizer. For containers and raised beds only - too light for in-ground use.
Settling and Compaction
Loose-pile topsoil settles 15-25% after watering and foot traffic. Order extra to account for this.
- Order rule: add 20% to the calculated volume for lawn topsoil, 15% for garden beds.
- Compact in lifts: when filling more than 6 in deep, lay 3-4 in at a time and water/walk over it before the next lift.
- Watering: water-in immediately after spreading; settles the soil and reveals low spots.
- Wait period: let settled topsoil sit 1-2 weeks before sodding or seeding to find low spots.
Topsoil Quality - What To Ask The Supplier
- pH: 6.0-7.0 for most plants. Acidic (below 5.5) needs lime; alkaline (above 7.5) needs sulphur.
- Organic matter: 3-5% is healthy. Below 2% is essentially mineral soil; above 10% is a garden mix.
- Texture: loam (40% sand, 40% silt, 20% clay) is ideal. Heavy clay does not drain; pure sand does not hold nutrients.
- Contaminants: ask if the soil has been screened for glass, metal, treated wood. Reputable suppliers source from agricultural fields, not construction sites.
- Weed seed load: some cheap topsoil has weed seeds; you will spend years fighting them.
- Soil test: for serious gardens, send a sample to your local extension service ($15-30) before ordering large quantities.
Cost Estimates Around The World
2026 retail topsoil prices, delivered.
| Region | Screened topsoil | Premium garden mix | Bagged retail |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States (USD) | $20-50 / yd³ delivered | $40-90 / yd³ | $3-6 per 1 cu ft bag |
| Canada (CAD) | C$30-70 / yd³ | C$55-110 / yd³ | C$5-10 per 25 L bag |
| United Kingdom (GBP) | £30-70 / m³ | £55-110 / m³ | £4-8 per 40 L bag |
| Eurozone (EUR) | €25-65 / m³ | €50-110 / m³ | €4-9 per 40 L bag |
| Australia (AUD) | A$50-110 / m³ | A$80-170 / m³ | A$8-15 per 30 L bag |
| India (INR) | ₹800-2,500 / m³ (garden soil mix) | ₹2,500-5,000 / m³ (cocopeat + soil + compost mix) | ₹150-400 per 25 kg bag |
| Mexico (MXN) | MX$400-900 / m³ | MX$800-1,800 / m³ | MX$80-180 per 25 L bag |
| Philippines (PHP) | PHP 1,000-2,500 / m³ | PHP 2,500-5,000 / m³ | PHP 200-400 per 25 L bag |
Brand reference: US bagged - Scotts, Miracle-Gro Garden Soil, Black Kow; UK - Westland, Levington, J. Arthur Bowers; India - Trustbasket, UGAOO. Local garden centres and landscape yards are usually cheaper than home stores for bulk delivery.
Common Mistakes
- Using fill dirt where topsoil is needed - plants will not grow.
- Forgetting that loose-pile topsoil settles 15-25%.
- Buying bags when bulk delivery is cheaper (over 2 yards).
- Spreading topsoil on top of compacted clay without amendments - water pools, plant roots cannot penetrate.
- Mixing bagged potting mix into in-ground beds - too light, dries out fast.
- Skipping a soil test for vegetable gardens - cheap insurance against pH or nutrient surprises.
- Topsoil delivered on rainy days - turns into mud and ruts the driveway.
- Buying topsoil from random Craigslist suppliers - often unscreened, contaminated, or full of weed seeds.
Topsoil Calculator FAQ
How many yards of topsoil for a 2000 sq ft lawn?
At 4 in deep: 2000 x 0.333 / 27 = 24.7 cu yd. Add 20% for settling = 30 yards. With 80 lb bags of 1 cu ft each, that would be 800 bags - bulk delivery is the only sensible option.
How deep should topsoil be for a new lawn?
4-6 inches over the compacted base. Less than 4 in and grass roots struggle. More than 6 in is wasted material for normal turf grass.
What is the difference between topsoil and garden soil?
Topsoil is screened native soil. Garden soil (premium mix, triple mix) is topsoil blended with compost and amendments. Garden soil costs 50-100% more but plants establish faster.
How much does a cubic yard of topsoil weigh?
Dry loose: 1,400-1,800 lb. Compacted moist: 2,000-2,400 lb. Wet: up to 2,700 lb. A standard pickup truck bed carries about 1-1.5 yd³ safely.
Can I just spread topsoil over weeds and grass?
Bad idea. Existing grass and weeds will grow up through the new soil within weeks. Kill or remove the existing growth first (sod cutter, herbicide, or smother) before spreading new topsoil.
How long should topsoil settle before planting?
Water it in once, then wait 1-2 weeks to see low spots and let the soil settle. Top up the low spots, then sod, seed, or plant. New raised beds settle 1-2 inches in the first month.
How much does topsoil cost?
US: $20-50 per yard delivered for screened topsoil, $40-90 for premium garden mix. UK: £30-70 per m³. India: ₹800-2,500 per m³. Bagged retail costs 2-3x bulk per unit.
Should I get a soil test before ordering?
For lawns: nice-to-have but not critical. For vegetable gardens: yes - $15-30 from your local university extension service. The test tells you pH, nutrients, and what amendments to add.
What is a yard of topsoil in metric?
1 cubic yard = 0.765 cubic metres = 765 litres. So a 30 yd³ lawn job is 23 m³ metric.
How long does topsoil last?
Indefinitely as a material, but biological quality depletes. New topsoil benefits from compost or fertilizer top-dress every 2-3 years to maintain organic matter and structure.
Related Construction Calculators
For mulch over the topsoil, use the Mulch Calculator. For lawn or garden area, use the Land Area Calculator. For decorative stone instead of mulch, see the Stone Calculator. More tools live on the Construction Calculators hub.
Sources
- USDA NRCS - Soil Health resources
- University of Minnesota Extension - soil and compost guidance
- Royal Horticultural Society (UK) - soil and compost
- US Composting Council - soil amendment standards
- Indian Agricultural Research Institute - soil resources
- NIST Handbook 44 unit conversion tables
This calculator is for planning and ordering conversations. Local code, project drawings, engineered design, and manufacturer instructions control the final work.