Topsoil Calculator
Cubic yards of topsoil = length × width × depth (in) ÷ 324, plus extra for settling. A 30 × 20 ft lawn at 6 in settled is 11.11 yd³; with 25 % for settling, order 13.89 yd³. For a new lawn, Virginia Cooperative Extension asks for 8 to 10 in of loose topsoil, which settles to 6 to 8 in.
Topsoil to order
13.89 yd³
13.89 tons · 375 ft³
- Spread it loose at
- 7.5 in
- Volume after settling
- 11.11 yd³
- Weight
- 13.89 short tons · 12.6 t
- 1 cu ft bags
- 375
- 0.75 cu ft bags
- 500
- Area
- 600 ft²
Worked examples
A 30 × 20 ft new lawn, 6 in deep after settling
- 30 × 20 = 600 ft²; 600 × 6 ÷ 12 = 300 ft³ = 11.11 yd³ once settled
- 300 × 1.25 = 375 ft³ = 13.89 yd³ to order, spread 7.5 in loose
- 13.89 yd³ × 1 ton = 13.89 tons of dry topsoil
Result: Order 13.89 yd³, about 13.89 tons dry.
Checked by the automated test “topsoil — 30 × 20 ft lawn at 6 in settled = 11.11 yd³; order 13.89 yd³ = 13.89 tons dry”.
An 8 × 4 ft raised bed, 12 in deep, filled with bags
- 8 × 4 × 12 ÷ 12 = 32 ft³ = 1.19 yd³ (settling set to 0 %)
- 32 ÷ 1 = 32 bags of 1 cu ft, or 32 ÷ 0.75 = 42.7 → 43 bags of 0.75 cu ft
Result: 1.19 yd³: 32 bags of 1 cu ft or 43 bags of 0.75 cu ft.
Checked by the automated test “topsoil — 8 × 4 ft bed at 12 in, 0 % = 32 ft³ = 1.19 yd³ = 32 bags of 1 cu ft”.
How it works
Settled volume (ft³) = length (ft) × width (ft) × depth (in) ÷ 12
Volume to order = settled volume × (1 + settling % ÷ 100)
Cubic yards = ft³ ÷ 27 · Tons = cubic yards × soil weight (tons per yd³)
Assumptions
- Default settling allowance 25 %: Virginia Cooperative Extension calls for 8 to 10 in of loose topsoil to end up with 6 to 8 in after settling (10 ÷ 8 = 1.25).
- Default soil weight 1 ton per cubic yard (2,000 lb), the dry weight Pacific Topsoils lists for its 3-way topsoil; it lists 2,200 lb for the same soil wet. Use your supplier's figure.
- Tons are US short tons (2,000 lb). Bags are counted on the volume to order and rounded up.
Reference table
| Settled depth | 1 yd³ covers | 1,000 ft² needs | Weight, dry–wet |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 in | 324 ft² | 3.86 yd³ | 3.9–4.2 tons |
| 2 in | 162 ft² | 7.72 yd³ | 7.7–8.5 tons |
| 3 in | 108 ft² | 11.57 yd³ | 11.6–12.7 tons |
| 4 in | 81 ft² | 15.43 yd³ | 15.4–17 tons |
| 6 in | 54 ft² | 23.15 yd³ | 23.1–25.5 tons |
| 8 in | 41 ft² | 30.86 yd³ | 30.9–34 tons |
| 12 in | 27 ft² | 46.3 yd³ | 46.3–50.9 tons |
Weights at 2,000 lb (dry) and 2,200 lb (wet) per cubic yard, Pacific Topsoils' 3-way topsoil.
Topsoil, fill dirt or garden mix
- Same volume, different weight. The cubic yards do not change with the material; the tons do. Pacific Topsoils lists 2,000 lb for its 3-way topsoil and 1,215 lb for its nursery mix, both dry.
- One layer at a time. Under a lawn, run the calculator once for fill dirt and once for the topsoil on top, each with its own depth.
- Bags or bulk. The bag counts help for a raised bed; past a cubic yard or two, compare them with a bulk price plus delivery.
Common mistakes
- Ordering the finished depth with no extra Loose soil settles. Virginia Cooperative Extension asks for 8 to 10 in loose to keep 6 to 8 in; order the settled depth plus the allowance.
- Mixing up cubic yards and square yards Soil is sold by the cubic yard, a volume of 27 ft³. Multiply the area by the depth before dividing by 27.
- Weighing wet soil at the dry figure Pacific Topsoils lists 2,000 lb dry and 2,200 lb wet for the same yard of topsoil: check your truck or trailer against the wet weight.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a yard of topsoil weigh?
About 2,000 lb (1 ton) dry and 2,200 lb wet, the figures Pacific Topsoils gives for its 3-way topsoil. Blends with compost weigh less: use the weight on your quote.
How many cubic feet are in a yard of dirt?
27 cubic feet: a cubic yard is 3 ft × 3 ft × 3 ft (NIST Handbook 44). One cubic foot is 0.037 yd³.
How much will a yard of soil cover?
324 ft² divided by the depth in inches: 81 ft² at 4 in, 54 ft² at 6 in. That is the settled depth, so add the settling allowance to your order.
How much topsoil will I need?
Multiply the area by the depth you want after settling, divide by 324 for cubic yards, then add 25 %. For 1,000 ft² at 4 in: 12.35 yd³ settled, 15.43 yd³ to order.
How many bags of topsoil are in a yard?
A cubic yard is 27 ft³, so 27 bags of 1 cu ft or 36 bags of 0.75 cu ft. The result gives both bag counts for your own area and depth.
Sources
Formula, examples and sources checked on by the Yardstick Math team. How we check our formulas.
- Safe hauling of bulk materials – cubic yard weights (3-way topsoil 2,000 lb dry, 2,200 lb wet) — Pacific Topsoils, accessed
- Gardener Handbook, Chapter 11: Lawns (8 to 10 in loose for 6 to 8 in settled) — Virginia Cooperative Extension, accessed
- Handbook 44, Appendix C – General Tables of Units of Measurement (1 yd³ = 27 ft³) — NIST, accessed