# Topsoil Calculator

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.

## 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)
```

Where:
- 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.

> **Worked example: topsoil for a new lawn**
>
> A new lawn area 50 × 40 ft is **2,000 sq ft**.
>
> At Penn State's minimum of 4 in settled: 2,000 × 0.333 = 667 cu ft ÷ 27 = **24.69 cubic yards**.
>
> Order a little more for settling, and plan for the weight: compacted soil at 110 lb per cu ft would make this up to **36.7 tons**. That's several dump-truck loads, not a pickup job.

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

1. **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.
2. **Underestimating weight.** A single yard can weigh well over a ton. Check payload ratings before hauling.
3. **Skipping a soil test.** Penn State recommends testing soil before establishing a lawn. Lime and fertilizer are separate line items.
4. **Burying grass without stripping it.** Thick layers over existing turf or debris cause uneven settling. Price site prep on its own line.
5. **Forgetting access.** A dump truck needs a place to drop the pile. Price wheelbarrow or skid-steer time from the pile to the work.

BRIX builds the topsoil, grading and seeding quote on site with every line item, then follows up so the job gets booked before the season turns.

- [Quotes and estimates](https://www.brix.so/features/quotes-estimates): Builds accurate quotes on site and follows up on every open estimate.
- [Sales automation](https://www.brix.so/features/sales-automation): Follows up every lead and open estimate automatically by text and email, and asks every customer for a review after the job.

## 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.

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## Sources

- [Penn State Extension — Lawn Establishment](https://extension.psu.edu/lawn-establishment) (checked 2026-10-12)
- [Oregon State University Extension — FS 270, Raised Bed Gardening](https://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog/fs-270-raised-bed-gardening) (checked 2026-10-12)
- [Nebraska DOT — Estimating Quantities in English & Metric (2024)](https://dot.nebraska.gov/media/4ffnhg4d/estimating-material-quantities.pdf) (checked 2026-10-12)

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Written by BRIX Editorial Team. Last updated 2026-10-12.
Canonical: https://www.brix.so/tools/topsoil-calculator