Topsoil Calculator
Enter your area dimensions and fill depth to calculate cubic yards, cubic feet, bags, and tons of topsoil needed.
Area dimensions
4–6″ for new lawns
Results
Cubic Yards
—
yd³
Cubic Feet
—
ft³
40 lb Bags
—
bags (0.75 ft³ ea)
Tons
—
short tons (est.)
How Much Topsoil Do You Need?
Multiply length by width by depth (in feet) to get cubic feet, then divide by 27 for cubic yards. Topsoil weighs roughly 2,700 lbs per cubic yard. A standard 40 lb bag fills about 0.75 cubic feet.
Topsoil Depth by Application
| Application | Recommended Depth |
|---|---|
| Lawn topdressing | 1–2 inches |
| Overseeding existing lawn | 2–3 inches |
| New lawn establishment | 4–6 inches |
| Raised garden beds | 8–12 inches |
Frequently Asked Questions
- How many cubic yards of topsoil for a new lawn?
- At 4 inches deep you need roughly 1 cubic yard per 81 square feet. A 1,000 sq ft lawn needs about 12.4 cubic yards.
- How many bags of topsoil equal a cubic yard?
- A cubic yard is 27 cubic feet. A 40 lb bag fills about 0.75 cubic feet, so approximately 36 bags equal one cubic yard.
- What is the difference between topsoil and fill dirt?
- Topsoil is nutrient-rich upper layer soil used for lawns and gardens. Fill dirt is subsoil without organic matter, used for grading — not for growing plants.