Topsoil Calculator
Enter your lawn or garden bed dimensions and get real cubic yards, tons, or bag counts.
You'll need
1.23 cubic yards
(33.3 cubic feet)
Estimated weight
1.30 tons
1.5 cu ft bags needed
23 bags
Keep going
- Once topsoil fills a bed, a mulch layer on top holds moisture and blocks weeds; the mulch calculator sizes that top layer at its own depth. Mulch Calculator
Frequently Asked Questions
How much topsoil do I need for a new lawn?
4-6 inches is a common trade recommendation for a new lawn bed over existing grade, though rocky or heavily compacted soil may need more. For topping up an existing lawn, 1/4 to 1/2 inch spread evenly is typically enough.
Is topsoil the same as garden soil or compost?
No -- topsoil is mostly mineral soil with some organic content, used as bulk fill and a growing base. Garden soil and compost are usually blended with more organic matter for planting directly into. This calculator's weight estimate applies best to plain topsoil, which is noticeably heavier per cubic yard than a compost-heavy blend.
Why does topsoil weigh less than gravel or sand?
Topsoil has more air pockets and organic material mixed in, so it's less dense than compacted mineral aggregates like gravel or sand -- this calculator uses 1.05 tons per cubic yard for topsoil versus 1.35-1.4 for sand and gravel.