Topsoil Calculator
Work out how much topsoil or garden soil to buy for a lawn, flower bed or raised bed.
How to use this topsoil calculator
Measure the area in feet and decide how deep the soil needs to be. For a raised bed, use the inside length and width and the height of the bed as the depth. The calculator gives you cubic yards for a bulk order, the number of bags in your chosen size, and a rough weight so you know whether your truck or trailer can carry it.
How much depth do I need?
| Project | Typical depth |
|---|---|
| Top-dressing an existing lawn | ¼–½ inch |
| Leveling low spots | 1–3 inches |
| Seeding or sodding a new lawn | 4–6 inches |
| New flower or vegetable bed | 6–8 inches |
| Raised bed | Full bed height (often 10–12 inches) |
The math behind it
Cubic feet = length × width × (depth ÷ 12). Divide by 27 for cubic yards, or by the bag size for the number of bags. Dry topsoil weighs roughly 1 to 1.2 tons per cubic yard, and wet soil is heavier. This calculator uses 1.1 tons per yard.
Example: an 8 × 4 ft raised bed, 12 inches deep, holds 32 cubic feet, or about 1.19 cubic yards. That's 43 bags of 0.75 cu ft. At that size, a bulk delivery is often cheaper.
Common mistakes
- Forgetting that new soil settles. Fill raised beds slightly higher than you need, or plan to top them up after a few weeks.
- Ordering bulk soil without checking whether it's screened. Unscreened soil can be full of rocks and roots.
- Underestimating weight. One cubic yard can be over a ton, which is more than many pickup trucks should carry.
Often used together
Quick answers
How much does a cubic yard of topsoil weigh?
Roughly 1 to 1.2 tons when dry, and more when wet. That's often more than a half-ton pickup should carry in one trip.
How much soil do I need for a 4 × 8 raised bed?
A 4 × 8 ft bed that's 12 inches deep holds 32 cubic feet, or about 1.2 cubic yards. A 6-inch-deep bed holds half that.
What's the difference between topsoil and garden soil?
Topsoil is plain screened soil, good for filling and leveling. Garden soil is topsoil mixed with compost or other organic matter, which is better for planting beds.