Topsoil Calculator
Home & DIYFreeNo sign-up
Topsoil is sold by volume: cubic yards = area (sq ft) × depth (in) ÷ 12 ÷ 27. Covering a 20 ft × 10 ft bed 4 inches deep takes 2.47 cubic yards before extra for settling, which is about 89 bags of 0.75 cubic feet.
For a triangle: base and height.
New lawn: 4 to 6 in. Garden bed: 6 to 12 in. Top dressing: about 0.5 in.
| Volume | |
| Area | 200 sq ft |
| Volume before extra | 66.67 cu ft |
| With 10% extra | 73.33 cu ft |
| Cubic yards | 2.72 cu yd |
| Cubic meters | 2.08 m³ |
| Weight (about 1.1 tons per cu yd) | 2.99 tons |
| Buying | |
| Bags of 0.75 cu ft | 98 |
Show steps
- Area = 20 × 10 = 200 sq ft.
- Volume = 200 × 4 in ÷ 12 = 66.67 cu ft.
- Add 10%: 73.33 cu ft.
- Cubic yards = 73.33 ÷ 27 = 2.72.
- Bags = 73.33 ÷ 0.75 = 97.78, rounded up to 98.
How to use the calculator
- Choose the shape of the area and enter its size in feet, or type the area directly.
- Enter how deep you want the soil in inches.
- Pick a bag size and how much extra to add for settling, then press Calculate.
Topsoil formula
- Area in square feet × depth in inches ÷ 12 = cubic feet.
- Cubic feet ÷ 27 = cubic yards (a cubic yard is 3 ft × 3 ft × 3 ft).
- Cubic feet ÷ bag size = number of bags; always round up.
Example: 20 ft × 10 ft = 200 sq ft. 200 × 4 ÷ 12 = 66.7 cu ft. 66.7 ÷ 27 = 2.47 cu yd.
How deep should topsoil be?
| Project | Typical depth | Cu yd per 100 sq ft |
|---|---|---|
| Top dressing a lawn | ¼ to ½ in | 0.08 to 0.15 |
| Leveling low spots | 1 to 2 in | 0.31 to 0.62 |
| New lawn or sod | 4 to 6 in | 1.23 to 1.85 |
| Flower bed | 6 to 8 in | 1.85 to 2.47 |
| Vegetable or raised bed | 8 to 12 in | 2.47 to 3.70 |
Bags or bulk?
One cubic yard fills 36 bags of 0.75 cu ft or 27 bags of 1 cu ft. For more than about 1 to 2 cubic yards, bulk delivery is usually cheaper and less work, but check the delivery fee and the minimum order. Loose soil settles after watering, which is why adding 10% to 20% is common.
Topsoil practice questions
Test yourself with 6 multiple-choice questions. Choose an answer and press Submit to see if you are right and why. Your score appears at the end.
Loose soil sinks as air pockets close, so 10% to 20% extra keeps the final level.
Quiz complete
Frequently asked questions
How much topsoil do I need?
Multiply the area in square feet by the depth in inches, divide by 12 for cubic feet and by 27 for cubic yards. 500 sq ft at 4 in is 166.7 cu ft, or 6.2 cu yd.
How much does a yard of topsoil weigh?
Roughly 1 to 1.3 tons, depending on moisture and how much clay and organic matter it has. Wet soil is heavier.
How many bags of topsoil are in a yard?
36 bags of 0.75 cu ft, 27 bags of 1 cu ft, or 18 bags of 1.5 cu ft.
How much area does a yard of topsoil cover?
At 1 inch deep, 324 sq ft. At 4 inches, 81 sq ft. At 6 inches, 54 sq ft.
Sources
- University of Minnesota Extension: Planting and growing lawns
- NIST Handbook 44: Units and conversions
Related calculators
More home & diy calculators
Related to This Article
More math articles
- Chemistry, pH, Water, and Contact Time
- Pattern Play: How to Analyzing and Comparing Mathematical Patterns
- Indiana ILEARN Grade 6 Math Free Worksheets: Free Skill-Targeted Worksheets with Answer Keys
- How to Prepare for the Next-Generation ACCUPLACER Math Test?
- How to Find Scalar Multiplication of Vectors?
- Suffixes and Word Families: How Endings Change Meaning
- Seniority
- Overview of the SHSAT Mathematics Test
- Executive orders
- The Ultimate CHSPE Math Course (+FREE Worksheets & Tests)
What people say about "Topsoil Calculator: Cubic Yards, Bags and Tons"?
No one replied yet.