Quickly calculate how much topsoil you need in cubic yards, tons, or bags. Perfect for lawns, raised beds, and landscaping projects across the United States.
Coverage based on 1 cubic yard = 1.35 tons (screened topsoil).
Formula used: (Length ft × Width ft × Depth in ÷ 12) ÷ 27 = cubic yards. Add 5% waste.
| Use case | Depth (inches) |
|---|---|
| Lawn renovation / overseeding | 2–4" |
| New lawn (sod or seed) | 4–6" |
| Vegetable garden / raised bed | 8–12" |
| Flower beds | 6–8" |
1 cubic yard covers about 100 sq ft at 3" depth. Bags are typically 40lb (0.5 cu ft). Use our calculator to compare cost.
2026 update: Average US topsoil cost: $30–$50 per cubic yard bulk, $4–$8 per bag.
Whether you're fixing a patchy lawn, building raised beds, or landscaping a new garden, knowing the exact amount of topsoil saves money and prevents waste. Our topsoil calculator uses the industry standard formula: (length × width × depth) ÷ 27 = cubic yards. Below we break down everything for 2026 projects.
Use a tape measure to get length and width in feet. For circular areas, measure the diameter (width across the center). Depth is usually in inches – remember that 3 inches is a common topdressing, while gardens need 6+ inches.
(L ft × W ft × D inches ÷ 12) ÷ 27 = cubic yards. Add 5–10% for compaction and waste. Our calculator does this instantly.
Screened topsoil weighs about 1.1–1.4 tons per cubic yard depending on moisture. We use 1.35 tons/yard for estimates. Bagged topsoil: a 40lb bag covers ~0.5 cubic feet, so 54 bags = 1 cubic yard.
| Depth (inches) | Coverage (sq ft) | Ideal for |
|---|---|---|
| 1" | 324 sq ft | Very light topdress |
| 2" | 162 sq ft | Lawn leveling |
| 3" | 108 sq ft | Overseeding |
| 4" | 81 sq ft | New lawn (minimum) |
| 6" | 54 sq ft | Vegetable gardens |
| 8" | 40.5 sq ft | Raised beds |
Fresh topsoil settles over time. If you're filling a large area, order 5–10% extra. For lawns, lightly water after spreading to help compaction.