Topsoil Calculator

How to Calculate How Much Topsoil You Need

Estimate soil volume from the measured area and target finished depth. Package counts and weight estimates also depend on the selected bag volume and density input. Any settling allowance is an optional assumption you choose; it is not a universal requirement.

Bulk topsoil is measured by volume: in the United States, suppliers quote orders in cubic yards (commonly called "yards"). One cubic yard equals 27 cubic feet (a cube 3 ft × 3 ft × 3 ft). In metric regions, bulk soil is ordered in cubic meters (m³). For smaller garden projects, soil is packaged in retail bags measured in cubic feet (the calculator shows example package volumes of 0.75, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 cu ft) or in liters (20 L, 25 L, 40 L, or 50 L). These are arithmetic examples, not a claim that every size is available. Check the product label.

The Topsoil Formulas (U.S. and Metric)

Because garden beds and lawn areas are measured in feet (or meters) while soil depth is measured in inches (or centimeters), calculating volume requires converting depth to the same unit before computing cubic yards or cubic meters:

Worked Example (U.S. Customary): A 20-foot by 10-foot garden section needing 3 inches of topsoil:

• Area = 20 × 10 = 200 square feet
• Depth in feet = 3 ÷ 12 = 0.25 feet
• Base Volume = 200 × 0.25 = 50 cubic feet
• Base Cubic Yards = 50 ÷ 27 = 1.85 cubic yards (1.42 m³)
• With an optional 15% settling allowance (+7.5 cu ft) = 57.5 cu ft = 2.13 cubic yards (1.63 m³)

Worked Example (Metric): A 6-meter by 3-meter bed needing 7.5 cm of soil:

• Area = 6 × 3 = 18 square meters
• Depth in meters = 7.5 ÷ 100 = 0.075 meters
• Base Volume = 18 × 0.075 = 1.35 cubic meters (1.77 cubic yards)
• With an optional 15% settling allowance = 1.35 × 1.15 = 1.55 cubic meters

Choose a project-specific finished depth

The calculator measures volume for a depth you enter; it does not recommend a planting, lawn, drainage, or construction depth. Soil type, plants, site conditions, finished grade, and local guidance all matter. For raised-bed growing context, see our raised-bed soil volume guideand consult local agricultural extension guidance for your project.

Settling and Extra-Volume Allowance

When topsoil is screened, blended, and loaded, it is loose and aerated. After placement, watering, and natural rainfall, air pockets collapse and the soil settles. The depth entered in the calculator represents yourtarget finished depth.

Settling varies with the soil blend, moisture, handling, and placement. The 10%, 15%, and 20% options in this tool are editable example scenarios, not universal requirements. Use 0% for the entered geometry alone, or ask the supplier or project professional whether an allowance is appropriate.

Soil Density and Estimated Weight

Soil weight changes with material composition, organic content, and moisture. A preset cannot represent every supplier's blend or the moisture condition at delivery.

The starting preset is 960 kg/m³ (about 59.93 lb/ft³), from the Federal Highway Administration's earthwork table for loose topsoil. That table is an estimating reference for earthwork, not a density specification for a garden-soil, compost, or screened-topsoil product. Moisture, blend, and handling affect delivered weight. For a product-specific estimate, choose Custom Soil Density and enter the supplier's value and unit.

Source: FHWA Federal Lands, Earthwork Design, loose topsoil estimate; the page says its table is for estimating before project-specific information is available and notes density variation. Reviewed 15 October 2026.

Comparing Bulk and Bagged Topsoil

One cubic yard equals 27 cubic feet (0.765 m³). If a retail bag contains 0.75 cubic feet, it takes 36 bags to equal one cubic yard. A 40-liter bag is about 1.41 cubic feet, so 20 bags are needed to exceed one cubic yard of volume.

• Bagged and bulk prices depend on the product, supplier, delivery charges, vehicle capacity, site access, and placement. For larger volumes, compare local bulk-delivery pricing with packaged soil pricing and include the full delivered cost.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many cubic yards of topsoil do I need?

Multiply your area in square feet by your desired soil depth in feet (depth in inches divided by 12), then divide that total by 27. For example, a 10×10 ft garden (100 sq ft) at 3 inches deep (0.25 ft) equals 25 cubic feet, which is0.93 cubic yards.

How much does 1 cubic yard of topsoil weigh?

There is no single weight for a cubic yard of topsoil. Blend composition and moisture affect bulk density. For a useful estimate, use density information provided by your supplier or enter a custom value from product information.

What is the difference between topsoil, garden soil, and compost?

Product names and blends vary by supplier and region. Check the product label or ask the supplier what the material contains and what uses it is intended for. Do not assume that a topsoil, garden-soil, or compost label alone establishes its density, nutrient content, drainage behavior, or suitability for a particular planting project.

How many bags of soil make 1 cubic yard?

That depends on the bag volume:

• 0.75 cu ft bags: 36 bags
• 1.0 cu ft bags: 27 bags
• 1.5 cu ft bags: 18 bags
• 2.0 cu ft bags: 14 bags (13.5 rounded up)
• 25-liter bags: 31 bags
• 40-liter bags: 20 bags

When should I choose bulk delivery over bags?

There is no volume cutoff that makes bulk delivery the better choice for every buyer. Compare local delivered pricing with packaged soil pricing, including delivery fees, supplier minimums, vehicle capacity, and site access.

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