Topsoil Calculator: Lawns, Beds and Raised Beds
Pick what the soil is for and enter the area. We set a sensible depth, add the soil that settles after spreading, and give bulk, weight and bag numbers.
Your estimate
Order 9.5 cu yd
of topsoil ≈ 10.41 tons, or 252 bags (1 cu ft)
- Area
- 600 sq ft
- Settling
- +20%
- Volume
- 9.33 cu yd (252 cu ft)5% waste
- Weight
- 10.23 tons
- In bags
- 252 bags (1 cu ft)
Add a price per ton, cubic yard or bag to see the cost.
How we got this: 600 sq ft × 4 in × 1.2 for settling × 1.05 = 9.33 cu yd (252 cu ft), × 1,300 kg/m³ = 10.23 tons. Delivery orders round up to the next 1/4 cu yd.
Screened topsoil costs a little more but has no stones or roots; ask for a mix with compost for lawns and beds.
How the calculation works
- Volume. Area × depth.
- Settling. Loose topsoil settles by about a fifth once it is raked, rolled and watered, so we add 20% for lawns and beds. Top dressing is spread thin and does not need it.
- Weight and bags. Topsoil weighs about 2,200 lb per cu yd (1.3 t/m³) when dry. Bulk is delivered in quarter-yard (0.25 m³) steps.
Imperial example: a new 20 × 30 ft lawn on 4 in of topsoil needs 252 cu ft with settling: 9.3 cu yd, about 10 tons. Order 9.5 cu yd.
Metric example: a 6 × 5 m lawn on 100 mm of topsoil needs 3.8 m³: about 4.9 tonnes, or six bulk bags.
Guides to save and share
Chart as a table: How much topsoil do I need?
| Area | 2 in | 4 in | 6 in |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 × 10 ft (bed) | 1 cu yd (≈ 1.1 tons) | 1.75 cu yd (≈ 1.92 tons) | 2.5 cu yd (≈ 2.74 tons) |
| 10 × 20 ft (garden) | 1.75 cu yd (≈ 1.92 tons) | 3.25 cu yd (≈ 3.56 tons) | 4.75 cu yd (≈ 5.2 tons) |
| 20 × 30 ft (small lawn) | 4.75 cu yd (≈ 5.2 tons) | 9.5 cu yd (≈ 10.41 tons) | 14 cu yd (≈ 15.34 tons) |
| 30 × 40 ft (lawn) | 9.5 cu yd (≈ 10.41 tons) | 18.75 cu yd (≈ 20.54 tons) | 28 cu yd (≈ 30.68 tons) |
| 50 × 50 ft (large lawn) | 19.5 cu yd (≈ 21.36 tons) | 39 cu yd (≈ 42.73 tons) | 58.5 cu yd (≈ 64.09 tons) |
How much topsoil do I need?
| Use | Depth | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| New lawn from seed or sod | 4–6 in (100–150 mm) | Mix into the top of the existing soil. |
| Flower or vegetable bed | 8 in (200 mm) | Add compost for structure. |
| Raised bed | 12 in (300 mm) or the bed height | Often a topsoil and compost blend. |
| Top dressing a lawn | 1/4–1/2 in (6–12 mm) | Brush it into the grass; never bury the blades. |
Common mistakes
- Forgetting settling. A bed filled level with loose soil sinks below the edge within weeks.
- Ordering by weight when the soil is wet: you get less soil for each ton.
- Laying new topsoil on compacted ground without loosening it, so roots cannot get through.
- Top dressing too thick and smothering the lawn.
What else you'll need
- Compost to mix into beds.
- A wheelbarrow, rake and lawn roller.
- Grass seed for a new lawn: Grass Seed Calculator
- Mulch for finished beds: Mulch Calculator
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cubic yard of topsoil weigh?
About 2,000–2,400 lb (1–1.2 short tons) when dry, more when wet. We use 2,200 lb (1.3 t/m³).
How much topsoil do I need for a new lawn?
4–6 in. For 1,000 sq ft at 4 in that is 12.3 cu yd once settled, so order about 15 cu yd of loose topsoil.
How many bags of topsoil are in a cubic yard?
27 bags of 1 cu ft or 36 bags of 0.75 cu ft. For more than a yard, bulk is usually cheaper.
Why does topsoil need extra for settling?
Delivered soil is loose and full of air. Once raked, rolled and watered it settles by 15–25%.
Related calculators
This is an estimate. Actual use depends on the material, the surface, the installation method, waste and site conditions. Check quantities with your supplier before you buy.