How the calculator works
Enter the area's length and width, its diameter, or the area itself, and the depth of topsoil.
- Volume: area in square feet × depth in inches ÷ 12 = cubic feet.
- Cubic yards: cubic feet ÷ 27. Bulk topsoil is sold by the cubic yard.
- Settling allowance: 10% by default. Freshly spread topsoil settles as it is watered and walked on.
- Tons: cubic yards × about 1 ton for dry screened topsoil, or 1.25 tons for moist topsoil.
- Bags: cubic feet ÷ the bag size (0.75 or 1 cubic foot), rounded up.
Topsoil chart: cubic yards and tons
Topsoil for common areas with no settling allowance, at 1 ton per cubic yard (dry).
| Area | 1 in deep | 2 in deep | 4 in deep | 6 in deep |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 sq ft | 0.31 yd³ (0.31 t) | 0.62 yd³ (0.62 t) | 1.23 yd³ (1.23 t) | 1.85 yd³ (1.85 t) |
| 250 sq ft | 0.77 yd³ (0.77 t) | 1.54 yd³ (1.54 t) | 3.09 yd³ (3.09 t) | 4.63 yd³ (4.63 t) |
| 500 sq ft | 1.54 yd³ (1.54 t) | 3.09 yd³ (3.09 t) | 6.17 yd³ (6.17 t) | 9.26 yd³ (9.26 t) |
| 1,000 sq ft | 3.09 yd³ (3.09 t) | 6.17 yd³ (6.17 t) | 12.35 yd³ (12.35 t) | 18.52 yd³ (18.52 t) |
| 2,000 sq ft | 6.17 yd³ (6.17 t) | 12.35 yd³ (12.35 t) | 24.69 yd³ (24.69 t) | 37.04 yd³ (37.04 t) |
How deep to spread topsoil
| Project | Depth |
|---|---|
| Topdressing a lawn before overseeding | 1/4–1/2 in |
| Filling shallow low spots in a lawn | Up to 2 in at a time |
| New lawn from seed or sod | 4–6 in |
| Flower beds | 6–8 in |
| Vegetable beds in the ground | 8–12 in |
Example: a new 25 × 40 ft lawn
You are spreading 4 inches of topsoil before laying sod.
- Area: 25 × 40 = 1,000 square feet.
- Volume: 1,000 × 4 ÷ 12 = 333.3 cubic feet.
- Settling: 10% more is 366.7 cubic feet, or 13.58 cubic yards.
- Weight: about 13.6 tons dry, or 17 tons if the load is moist. A large dump truck carries 10 to 15 yards, so this may be one or two loads.
- Bags: the same amount would be 489 bags of 0.75 cu ft, which is why lawns are done with bulk soil.
Topdressing the same lawn 1/4 inch deep takes only 20.8 cubic feet, or 0.77 cubic yards.
Tips
- Loosen the ground under it. Rototill or fork the subsoil a few inches deep so the new topsoil does not sit on a hard layer.
- Spread in layers. Rake out a couple of inches, water or roll it, then add the next layer.
- Ask for screened topsoil. Screening removes rocks, roots and clumps, which matters for a smooth lawn.
- Check what is in it. Ask the supplier where the soil comes from and whether it is blended with compost or sand.
- Keep the grade sloping away from the house. A drop of about 6 inches over the first 10 feet keeps water away from the foundation.
Frequently asked questions
How much topsoil do I need for 1,000 square feet?
At 4 inches deep, 1,000 square feet takes 333 cubic feet, which is 12.35 cubic yards. With 10% extra for settling, order about 13.6 cubic yards. At 2 inches it takes 6.17 cubic yards, and at 6 inches 18.5 cubic yards.
How much does a cubic yard of topsoil weigh?
About 1 ton (2,000 pounds) when it is dry, and up to around 1.25 tons or more when it is moist. A load straight after rain weighs the most, so a truck's weight limit may cap how many yards it can carry.
How deep should topsoil be for a new lawn?
Spread 4 to 6 inches of topsoil over loosened subsoil for new sod or seed. Grass roots grow in the top few inches, and a deeper layer holds more water. For overseeding an existing lawn, topdress with only 1/4 to 1/2 inch so the grass is not smothered.
How many bags of topsoil make a cubic yard?
36 bags of 0.75 cubic feet, the usual size of a 40-pound bag, or 27 bags of 1 cubic foot. Bags suit a small bed or patching low spots; for a lawn or a big bed, bulk topsoil by the yard costs far less.
What is the difference between topsoil and garden soil?
Topsoil is the screened upper layer of natural soil, used to build up grade, fill low spots and start lawns. Garden soil is topsoil blended with compost or other organic matter for planting beds. For raised beds, use a raised bed mix or blend topsoil with compost.
How much topsoil do I need to level a yard?
Measure how deep each low area is, work out each area's volume separately, and add them up. For a gentle slope, the average depth is half the deepest point. Fill dips more than 2 inches deep in stages, letting each layer settle before adding more.
Last updated October 20, 2026.