Updated · Built and checked by the PlinzoTools team, formulas tested against published sources
Calculate how much topsoil you need in cubic yards, weight, and bags for a garden bed or lawn area.
This calculator sizes a topsoil order for a new garden bed, raised bed, or lawn leveling project -- computing volume in cubic yards, an approximate weight in tons, and a bag count at the common 0.75 cubic foot bagged-topsoil size.
Enter the area you're covering in square feet and your desired topsoil depth in inches -- 4 to 6 inches is typical for establishing a new garden bed or lawn area, deeper for a raised bed. Open "Advanced" to adjust the density if you know your specific topsoil blend's weight, since moisture content and organic matter both change real topsoil density noticeably.
Cubic Yards = (Area in sqft × Depth in inches) ÷ 324
Tons = (Cubic Yards × Density in lb/cu yd) ÷ 2000
The default density (2,200 lb/cu yd) is a common average for a screened topsoil blend, but topsoil can range widely depending on how much moisture, sand, or organic material it contains -- a wet, heavy clay-loam topsoil weighs noticeably more than a light, well-aged compost-blend topsoil at the same volume.
Use this for a new garden bed, filling a raised bed, top-dressing a lawn, or leveling a low spot in the yard. If you're building up a larger fill area rather than a thin topsoil layer, see the Fill Dirt Calculator, which also accounts for compaction.
"Topsoil" isn't a single standardized product -- screened topsoil, garden-blend topsoil with added compost, and raw excavated topsoil all differ in density and quality. If your supplier can tell you their specific blend's weight per cubic yard, use that in the Advanced section for a more accurate tonnage estimate.
For a hypothetical raised bed 4 feet wide, 8 feet long, and 10 inches deep, the area is 32 sqft. Entering 32 and 10 gives about 0.99 cubic yards, or roughly 26.7 cubic feet. At the 0.75 cubic foot bag size that is about 36 bags. Keep in mind that most raised bed mixes are not pure topsoil, so the same volume figure is useful for a blend of topsoil and compost, but the density and price will differ.
For a thin top-dressing over an existing lawn, the depth is often well under an inch, and dumping a thick layer can smother the grass. In that case enter a small depth, such as a fraction of an inch, and expect to spread the topsoil in several light passes. For establishing a brand-new lawn, the depth is much greater, and the topsoil is usually spread over a rough-graded subgrade.
The tonnage matters for delivery and for getting it into the yard. A single cubic yard of soil can weigh well over a ton, so check that your driveway and any fresh pavement can handle a loaded truck, and think about where to place the pile so it does not block drainage. Wet soil weighs more than dry, and delivered soil after rain can push the ton figure up compared with your estimate.
Ask the supplier what the soil contains, whether it has been screened, and whether it is suitable for edible plants. A soil test through a local agricultural extension service can tell you about pH and nutrient levels before you spend money on amendments. This tool estimates quantity only and says nothing about soil quality.
Multiply your bed's length x width to get area, then use your bed's depth (often 8-12 inches for a raised bed) as the depth input here to get an accurate volume.
No -- topsoil is generally unamended native soil, while garden soil and potting soil blends have added compost, fertilizer, or drainage materials mixed in and are formulated for specific planting uses.
At the common 0.75 cu ft bag size, 36 bags make one cubic yard (27 cu ft ÷ 0.75 cu ft = 36).
It depends on whether you are top-dressing or building a new lawn. Measure the area and choose a depth for your situation, then enter both here for the volume.
Often yes for garden beds, but the right mix depends on your soil test and plants. Ask a local extension office or nursery for a recommended ratio.
Bag counts are rounded up to whole bags, while cubic yards show the exact volume. The two are consistent with each other.