Topsoil Calculator - Calculate Cubic Yards and Tons Needed

Calculate how much topsoil you need for your lawn, garden, or landscaping project with our free topsoil calculator. Get instant results in cubic yards, cubic feet, and cubic meters.

How Much Topsoil Do I Need?

The amount of topsoil you need depends on three key factors: 1. Area size - The length and width of the space you want to fill 2. Depth - How thick you want your topsoil layer 3. Application - Different projects require different depths

How to Use the Topsoil Calculator

This calculator offers two convenient methods to calculate your topsoil needs:

Option 1: By Dimensions

Enter the length, width, and desired depth of your topsoil area. Perfect for rectangular garden beds, lawn areas, or raised beds.

Option 2: By Area

If you already know the square footage of your area, simply enter that value along with your desired topsoil depth.

Recommended Topsoil Depth by Application

Different projects require different topsoil depths:

• New lawns: 4-6 inches
• Repairing existing lawns: 1-2 inches (topdressing)
• Garden beds (flowers): 6-8 inches
• Vegetable gardens: 8-12 inches
• Raised beds: 12-18 inches (fill depth)
• Tree planting: 12-18 inches deep, 3x root ball diameter
• Shrubs: 12 inches deep, 2x root ball diameter

Understanding Topsoil Measurements

Cubic Yards

Topsoil is typically ordered by the cubic yard. One cubic yard covers: - 324 square feet at 1 inch depth - 162 square feet at 2 inches depth - 108 square feet at 3 inches depth - 54 square feet at 6 inches depth

Tons

Topsoil is often sold by weight (tons). As a general rule: - 1 cubic yard of topsoil ≈ 1-1.3 tons (varies by moisture and composition) - Dry topsoil: ~1 ton per cubic yard - Moist topsoil: ~1.3 tons per cubic yard

Bags

Topsoil is also sold in bags: - 40 lb bags: Approximately 0.75 cubic feet - 1 cubic foot bags: Standard size for small projects - 2 cubic foot bags: More economical for medium projects

Types of Topsoil

Common topsoil types for different applications:

1. Premium Screened Topsoil

• Sifted to remove debris, rocks, and clumps
• Best for: New lawns, vegetable gardens
• Pros: Clean, consistent texture, easy to work with

2. Unscreened Fill Dirt/Topsoil

• May contain rocks, roots, and clay
• Best for: Filling low spots, grading, non-planting areas
• Pros: Cheaper, good for bulk filling

3. Enriched/Amended Topsoil

• Mixed with compost, peat moss, or organic matter
• Best for: Gardens, raised beds, poor existing soil
• Pros: Better nutrients, improved drainage and structure

4. Organic Topsoil

• High organic matter content
• Best for: Vegetable gardens, flower beds
• Pros: Nutrient-rich, excellent for plant growth

5. Sandy Loam

• Balanced mix of sand, silt, and clay
• Best for: Most gardening applications
• Pros: Good drainage, nutrient retention, ideal texture

What Makes Quality Topsoil?

Look for these characteristics in quality topsoil:

1. Dark color: Indicates high organic matter
2. Good texture: Crumbly, not too sandy or clay-heavy
3. Rich smell: Earthy, not foul or chemical odors
4. Minimal debris: Few rocks, sticks, or trash
5. pH balanced: Typically 6.0-7.5 for most plants
6. Free of weeds: Minimal weed seeds or plant material

Buying Topsoil: What You Need to Know

Bulk vs. Bagged

• Bulk topsoil (by the ton or cubic yard): Most economical for projects over 1 cubic yard
• Bagged topsoil: Better for small gardens and easier to transport

Cost Factors

• Quality grade: Premium screened costs more than unscreened
• Organic content: Higher organic matter increases price
• Delivery: Typically $50-150 depending on distance
• Quantity: Bulk orders usually have better per-unit pricing

Ordering Tips

1. Order 10-15% extra to account for settling
2. Confirm delivery truck can access your property
3. Have area prepared before delivery
4. Ask about minimum order requirements (often 2-3 cubic yards)
5. Request a sample or ask about soil composition
6. Check if the supplier screens their topsoil

Topsoil Application Guide

For New Lawns:

1. Remove existing vegetation and debris
2. Grade area for proper drainage
3. Spread 4-6 inches of quality topsoil
4. Rake smooth and level
5. Lightly compact (don't over-compact)
6. Seed or lay sod

For Garden Beds:

1. Remove weeds and grass
2. Till existing soil if compacted
3. Spread 6-8 inches of topsoil
4. Mix with existing soil if it's decent quality
5. Add compost or amendments
6. Level and prepare for planting

For Topdressing Lawns:

1. Mow lawn short
2. Remove thatch if necessary
3. Spread ¼-½ inch of screened topsoil
4. Work into lawn with back of rake
5. Water lightly
6. Overseed if desired

Common Topsoil Mistakes to Avoid

1. Using fill dirt instead of topsoil: Fill dirt lacks nutrients for plant growth
2. Buying unscreened for lawns: Rocks and debris cause mowing problems
3. Not testing pH: Soil too acidic or alkaline hinders plant growth
4. Over-compacting: Destroys soil structure and root penetration
5. Insufficient depth: Shallow topsoil dries out quickly
6. Not amending poor soil: Topsoil over clay may create drainage problems
7. Ordering too little: Running short mid-project is frustrating

Topsoil vs. Other Soil Products

Topsoil vs. Compost

• Topsoil: Base layer, provides structure and nutrients
• Compost: Amendment, very nutrient-rich but expensive alone
• Best: Mix together for optimal garden soil

Topsoil vs. Potting Soil

• Topsoil: For in-ground gardening and lawn areas
• Potting Soil: For containers, lighter and fluffier
• Don't: Use potting soil for ground-level gardens (too expensive, wrong texture)

Topsoil vs. Fill Dirt

• Topsoil: Nutrient-rich, for growing plants
• Fill Dirt: Subsoil, for grading and filling, not planting
• Cost: Fill dirt much cheaper but unsuitable for growing

Improving Your Topsoil

Even quality topsoil can be enhanced:

1. Add compost: 2-4 inches mixed in improves everything
2. Organic matter: Peat moss, aged manure, leaf mold
3. Aeration: Don't over-compact, preserve soil structure
4. pH adjustment: Lime (raise pH) or sulfur (lower pH)
5. Cover crops: Grow and till in for organic matter
6. Mulch: Protects topsoil and adds nutrients as it breaks down

Frequently Asked Questions

How deep should topsoil be for grass?

For new lawns, 4-6 inches is ideal. For overseeding or topdressing existing lawns, ¼-½ inch is sufficient.

Can I use topsoil in raised beds?

Yes, but mix it with compost (1:1 ratio) for better results. Pure topsoil can be too dense for raised beds.

How much does a yard of topsoil cost?

Prices vary by region and quality, but expect $20-60 per cubic yard for screened topsoil, plus delivery fees.

Should I mix topsoil with existing soil?

Yes, if your existing soil isn't terrible. Mixing prevents a hard boundary layer that can impede water drainage and root growth.

How long does topsoil last?

Topsoil doesn't expire, but it settles and organic matter breaks down over time. Add compost annually to maintain quality.

Can topsoil have weeds?

Yes, especially unscreened topsoil may contain weed seeds. Premium screened topsoil typically has fewer weed seeds.

What's the difference between topsoil and garden soil?

Garden soil is topsoil amended with compost and nutrients specifically for gardening. Topsoil is more basic and may need amendments.

How do I know if I need more topsoil?

If your existing soil is less than 4 inches deep, very poor quality (heavy clay or sand), or contaminated, you likely need new topsoil.

Related Calculators

Looking for other landscaping calculations? Check out our: - Mulch Calculator - Sand Calculator - Gravel Calculator - Rock Calculator

Pro Tip: Before ordering, dig a small hole to check your existing soil depth and quality. If you have 2-3 inches of decent soil, you may need less new topsoil than you think!