Topsoil calculator
Cubic yards and tons of topsoil for a new lawn, raised beds or fixing low spots.
Calculator
Detailed breakdown
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How to use this calculator
Measure
Measure the area in feet and choose your depth — 4 to 6 inches for a new lawn, more for beds.
Calculate
Once you hit calculate, results update as you type. Change any number to compare options instantly.
Order
Print the estimate and take it to your supplier. Quantities are rounded up so you don't come up short.
How much soil a lawn or bed actually needs
Topsoil is sold by the cubic yard and sometimes by the ton, running around 1.1 tons per cubic yard when screened and reasonably dry. Wet or heavy clay soil weighs considerably more, so ordering by volume is usually the safer bet.
Depth depends on what you are growing. A new lawn wants 4 to 6 inches of decent soil for roots to establish; anything less and the turf struggles in its first dry spell. Raised beds and vegetable gardens want 10 to 12 inches. Filling low spots in an existing lawn means top-dressing half an inch to an inch at a time, repeated over seasons — burying live grass under three inches of soil kills it.
A 1,000 square foot lawn at 4 inches deep needs about 12.3 cubic yards, which is a full truck delivery, not a trailer load. It is worth measuring carefully before ordering at that scale.
Quality varies enormously and is not visible from a photo. Screened topsoil should be dark, crumbly and free of rocks, roots and construction debris. Cheap fill dirt is not topsoil and will not grow much. If you are buying by the truckload, ask to see the pile before it is dumped in your driveway.
Frequently asked questions
How much topsoil for a new lawn?
Four to six inches over the whole area. A 1,000 square foot lawn at 4 inches needs about 12.3 cubic yards.
How many tons is a cubic yard of topsoil?
About 1.1 tons screened and dry. Wet or clay-heavy soil can be significantly heavier.
How deep for raised beds?
Ten to twelve inches for vegetables. Deep-rooted crops like carrots and tomatoes appreciate more.
Can I put topsoil over existing grass?
Only a thin top-dress of half an inch to an inch at a time. Burying live grass under thick soil kills it — build up gradually across seasons.
What is the difference between topsoil and fill dirt?
Topsoil is the screened, organic-rich upper layer that plants actually grow in. Fill dirt is subsoil used for volume and grading, and very little grows in it.
Sources
Formulas and material assumptions on this page follow published industry guidance: