# Topsoil Calculator: Cubic Yards, Tons & Bags

> Calculate how much topsoil to order for a new lawn, a raised garden bed or low spots in your yard — in cubic yards, tons or bags.

**Quick answer:** A 1,000 sq ft lawn needs about 12.3 cubic yards of topsoil at 4 inches deep, roughly 13–14 tons. Formula: area × depth (inches ÷ 12) ÷ 27 = cubic yards. Topsoil weighs about 1.1 tons per cubic yard, so add 10% for settling.

_Last updated: October 4, 2026. Estimates only; confirm quantities with your supplier._

## How to calculate topsoil

Topsoil is sold by the **cubic yard** (bulk) or by the **cubic foot** (bags). The volume is simply area times depth.

```
cubic yards = length (ft) × width (ft) × depth (in ÷ 12) ÷ 27
```

Add 10% for settling — freshly spread soil compresses as it is watered and walked on, so a bed filled exactly to the brim will sink.

### How deep should topsoil be?

| Project | Depth |
| --- | --- |
| Overseeding an existing lawn | ¼–½ in |
| Fixing low spots | 1–2 in |
| New lawn from seed or sod | 4–6 in |
| In-ground garden bed | 6–8 in |
| Raised garden bed | 8–12 in |

### Topsoil needed for a lawn (cubic yards before settling)

| Lawn area | 2 in | 4 in | 6 in |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 500 sq ft | 3.1 | 6.2 | 9.3 |
| 1.000 sq ft | 6.2 | 12.3 | 18.5 |
| 2.000 sq ft | 12.3 | 24.7 | 37.0 |
| 5.000 sq ft | 30.9 | 61.7 | 92.6 |
| 10.000 sq ft | 61.7 | 123.5 | 185.2 |

### Test your soil before you spread it

A simple soil test (pH and nutrients) from a local extension office or a home kit costs little and tells you whether to add lime, sulfur or fertilizer. Lawns generally prefer a pH of 6.0–7.0. It's far easier to correct soil while it is spread open than after the grass is in.

### Topsoil, garden soil or fill dirt?

**Topsoil** is the screened upper layer of soil with organic matter — good for lawns and general planting. **Garden soil** or **raised bed mix** is blended with compost for better drainage in containers. **Fill dirt** is subsoil with little organic matter, used to raise grade before adding topsoil on top.

For raised beds, a blend of roughly half topsoil and half compost works best — use the [raised bed soil calculator](../raised-bed-soil-calculator/) for the mix. For a finished lawn, plan on [grass seed](../grass-seed-calculator/) or [sod](../sod-calculator/) after grading.

### Bags of topsoil per cubic yard

| Bag size | Bags per cubic yard |
| --- | --- |
| 0.75 cu ft | 36.0 |
| 1 cu ft | 27.0 |
| 1.5 cu ft | 18.0 |
| 2 cu ft | 13.5 |

Round up to whole bags. Bagged soil is convenient for beds and patches, while bulk delivery is usually cheaper for a lawn or any job over a couple of cubic yards.

### Soil for raised beds

| Bed size | Depth | Cubic feet | Cubic yards |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 4 × 4 ft | 10 in | 13.3 | 0.49 |
| 4 × 8 ft | 12 in | 32.0 | 1.19 |
| 3 × 6 ft | 12 in | 18.0 | 0.67 |
| 4 × 12 ft | 12 in | 48.0 | 1.78 |
| 2 × 8 ft | 10 in | 13.3 | 0.49 |

For filling a bed with a soil blend rather than plain topsoil, use the [raised bed soil calculator](../raised-bed-soil-calculator/).

### How much does it weigh?

Topsoil is commonly planned at about 1.1 tons per cubic yard, so 10 cubic yards is roughly 11 tons. Wet soil is heavier, and a pickup is limited by weight long before its bed is full. The [yards to tons calculator](../yards-to-tons-calculator/) converts any amount.

### Topsoil mistakes to avoid

- Spreading it on compacted subsoil without loosening the surface first, which leaves a sharp layer line that roots struggle to cross.
- Burying the crowns of existing plants and the base of trees.
- Forgetting that soil settles, so a freshly spread layer ends up thinner than you measured.
- Using fill dirt where you need topsoil; see the [fill dirt calculator](../fill-dirt-calculator/) for grading and building up levels.

## Frequently asked questions

### How much does a cubic yard of topsoil weigh?

About 1,900–2,600 pounds, or roughly 1 to 1.3 tons, depending on moisture and organic content.

### How much topsoil do I need for a lawn?

Plan for 4–6 inches for a new lawn. A 1,000 sq ft lawn at 4 inches needs about 12 cubic yards before settling.

### How many bags of topsoil are in a cubic yard?

A 40-lb bag is about 0.75 cubic feet, so there are roughly 36 bags in a yard. Bulk is much cheaper for large areas.

### How much topsoil do I need to cover 1,000 square feet?

At 1 inch deep: 3.1 yards. At 2 inches: 6.2 yards. At 4 inches: 12.3 yards. At 6 inches: 18.5 yards.

### How much does a yard of topsoil cost?

Screened topsoil typically costs $20–$50 per cubic yard in bulk, plus delivery, and about $3–$6 per 40-lb bag.

### Is screened topsoil worth it?

Yes, for lawns and gardens. Screening removes rocks and debris, giving a smoother finish and easier planting.

### How much topsoil to put over existing grass?

Spread no more than ½ inch over living turf; deeper layers smother grass. For deeper changes, remove the sod first.

### Can I mix topsoil and compost?

Yes — a 50/50 mix is common for raised beds; for lawns, mix 1 part compost into 3–4 parts topsoil.

## Sources and further reading

- [Planting a new lawn](https://extension.illinois.edu/lawns/planting-new-lawn) — University of Illinois Extension
- [NIST Special Publication 811: conversion factors](https://www.nist.gov/pml/special-publication-811/nist-guide-si-appendix-b-conversion-factors) — National Institute of Standards and Technology