Topsoil Calculator

By BRIX Editorial Team · Updated October 12, 2026

To figure topsoil, multiply the area in square feet by the depth in feet and divide by 27 for cubic yards. Penn State Extension calls for at least 4–6 inches of settled topsoil for a new lawn. A 50 × 40 ft lawn at 4 inches needs 24.7 cubic yards, plus extra for settling.

Topsoil to order24.69 cu yd

Area: 2,000 sq ft
Volume at settled depth: 667 cu ft (24.69 yd)
Bags (1 cu ft each): 667
Weight, upper estimate: up to 36.7 tons

2,000 sq ft at 4 in is 24.69 yards. Wet soil is heavy: this order could weigh up to 36.7 tons, so check your truck's payload rating before you haul it yourself.

Key takeaways

Cubic yards = length × width × (depth in ÷ 12) ÷ 27.
Penn State Extension: a new lawn needs at least 4–6 in of good topsoil, measured as a firmed or settled depth.
Oregon State Extension suggests about 8 in of soil for most vegetables in raised beds.
Loose soil settles after rolling and watering, so order more than the settled volume.
Soil is heavy: Nebraska DOT figures 110 lb per cubic foot compacted, about 2,970 lb per yard.

How do you calculate how much topsoil you need?

Multiply the area by the depth you want after the soil settles, convert to cubic yards, then add an allowance for settling. Bulk topsoil is sold by the cubic yard; bagged topsoil by the cubic foot.

Formula

Cubic yards = L × W × (D ÷ 12) ÷ 27 × (1 + settling)

L, W: length and width in feet
D: settled depth in inches
settling: extra loose soil to order, as a decimal

1
Measure the area.
Length × width for each lawn section or bed. For beds, multiply by the number of beds.
2
Choose a settled depth.
4–6 in for a new lawn, about 8 in for a vegetable bed, 1–2 in to fill low spots or level an existing lawn.
3
Convert to cubic yards.
Multiply by depth in feet and divide by 27.
4
Add for settling.
Loose screened soil firms down after it's rolled and watered. Add extra so you end at your target depth.
5
Plan the haul.
Check truck payload and the supplier's delivery minimum before you choose bulk or bags.

For raised beds, 3 beds of 8 × 4 ft filled 8 in deep take 64 cu ft, or 2.37 yards. In 1 cu ft bags that's 64 bags, so a bulk delivery of soil or a soil-compost blend is usually easier.

How deep should topsoil be?

Topsoil depth by job
Job	Depth	Source or note
New lawn from seed or sod	4–6 in, settled	Penn State Extension: minimum for a new lawn
Raised vegetable beds	about 8 in	Oregon State Extension: adequate rooting for most vegetables
Tilling in an existing garden	about 6 in	Oregon State Extension: rototill to about 6 in
Leveling low spots in a lawn	thin layers	Spread thin so the grass can grow through, and repeat
Regrading next to a foundation	varies	Keep the grade sloping away from the house

How much topsoil for common jobs?

Topsoil by job, settled volume before any settling allowance
Job	Size and depth	Cubic yards	1 cu ft bags
Small lawn patch	20 × 20 ft, 4 in	4.94	134
Front yard, new lawn	50 × 40 ft, 4 in	24.69	667
Front yard at 6 in	50 × 40 ft, 6 in	37.04	1,000
Backyard, new lawn	80 × 60 ft, 4 in	59.26	1,600
Raised beds	3 × 8 × 4 ft, 8 in	2.37	64

Computed with the calculator above.

How much does a yard of topsoil weigh?

It depends on texture and moisture. Nebraska DOT's estimating guide uses 110 lb per cubic foot for compacted soil in place, which is about 2,970 lb (1.49 tons) per cubic yard. Loose, dry, screened topsoil weighs less, but wet soil can approach that figure, so use it as the upper end when you plan trucks and trailers.

Common topsoil estimating mistakes

Ordering the settled depth as loose volume. Penn State's 4–6 in is a firmed depth. Order extra loose soil to end up there.
Underestimating weight. A single yard can weigh well over a ton. Check payload ratings before hauling.
Skipping a soil test. Penn State recommends testing soil before establishing a lawn. Lime and fertilizer are separate line items.
Burying grass without stripping it. Thick layers over existing turf or debris cause uneven settling. Price site prep on its own line.
Forgetting access. A dump truck needs a place to drop the pile. Price wheelbarrow or skid-steer time from the pile to the work.

Frequently asked questions

How much topsoil do I need for a new lawn?

Penn State Extension recommends at least 4–6 in of good-quality topsoil, measured as a settled depth. For 1,000 sq ft at 4 in, that's about 12.3 cubic yards before any settling allowance.

How many square feet does a yard of topsoil cover?

One cubic yard covers 324 sq ft at 1 in, 81 sq ft at 4 in and 54 sq ft at 6 in. Divide 324 by the depth in inches.

How much does a cubic yard of topsoil weigh?

Roughly a ton or more, depending on moisture and texture. Nebraska DOT uses 110 lb per cubic foot for compacted soil, about 2,970 lb per yard. Loose, dry topsoil is lighter.

How much extra topsoil should I order for settling?

There's no single number; it depends on how loose the soil is delivered and how it's firmed. Because recommended lawn depths are settled depths, order more than the settled volume and keep a little on site to top off low spots.

How many bags of topsoil make a yard?

A cubic yard is 27 cu ft, so it's 27 bags of 1 cu ft or 36 bags of 0.75 cu ft. Past a yard or two, bulk delivery is usually far less handling.

Sources

Penn State Extension — Lawn Establishment (checked October 12, 2026)
Oregon State University Extension — FS 270, Raised Bed Gardening (checked October 12, 2026)
Nebraska DOT — Estimating Quantities in English & Metric (2024) (checked October 12, 2026)

Topsoil Calculator