Topsoil Calculator
How much topsoil does your lawn, garden bed, or raised bed need?
How this is calculated
- Volume in cubic feet = length × width × (depth ÷ 12)
- Cubic yards = cubic feet ÷ 27
- Order amount = cubic yards × (1 + waste % ÷ 100)
- Bags = ⌈order amount × 27 ÷ 0.75⌉ — a 40 lb bag of topsoil is about 0.75 cu ft.
Common questions
How much topsoil do I need for a 10×10 bed at 6 inches?
A 10 ft × 10 ft bed filled 6 inches deep needs about 1.85 cubic yards — order 2 yards after the usual 10% settling allowance. In bags that is roughly 74 forty-pound bags, which is why anything over a yard usually goes bulk.
How many bags of topsoil are in a cubic yard?
A 40 lb bag of topsoil holds about 0.75 cu ft, so one cubic yard equals roughly 36 bags. Bagged soil at $4–$6 per bag works out to $144–$216 per yard — bulk delivery at $15–$60 per yard is far cheaper for anything beyond small beds.
How deep should topsoil be?
Top-dressing an existing lawn: 0.25–0.5 inches at a time (more can smother grass). New garden beds: 6–12 inches for healthy roots. Under new sod: 4–6 inches of loosened soil. Lawns from seed: aim for 4–6 inches of good topsoil tilled in.
How many square feet does a yard of topsoil cover?
One cubic yard covers 324 sq ft at 1 inch, 162 sq ft at 2 inches, or 81 sq ft at 4 inches. Quick check: area in sq ft × depth in inches ÷ 324 = cubic yards.