Topsoil Calculator
Cubic yards, weight and bag counts for lawns, beds and grade repair.
Topsoil needed
5.56 yd³
- Area covered
- 600 sq ft
- Volume
- 150.0 cu ft
- Estimated weight
- 6.11 tons
- Bags at 0.75 cu ft
- 200 bags
- Bags at 1.0 cu ft
- 150 bags
- Bags at 1.5 cu ft
- 100 bags
Moisture content changes weight a lot — soaked soil can be 25% heavier than the default.
Pricing the whole yard? Add sod, mulch and labor in the landscaping cost calculator →
How this is calculated
cubic yards = (sq ft × (depth(in) / 12)) / 27 cubic feet = cubic yards × 27 tons = (cubic yards × lb per cubic yard) / 2000 bags = ceil(cubic feet / bag size in cu ft)
Constants used: 12 inches per foot, 27 cubic feet per cubic yard, 2,000 lb per US ton, bag sizes of 0.75, 1.0 and 1.5 cubic feet, and a default screened-topsoil weight of 2,200 lb per cubic yard. Metric input converts at 1 m = 3.28084 ft, 1 m² = 10.7639 sq ft and 1 cm = 0.393701 in. Bag counts always round up.
Recommended topsoil depth by use
| Use | Depth | Coverage per cubic yard |
|---|---|---|
| New lawn from seed or sod | 4-6 in | 54-81 sq ft |
| Topdressing an existing lawn | 0.25-0.5 in | 648-1,296 sq ft |
| Vegetable or flower bed | 6-12 in | 27-54 sq ft |
| Filling low spots | 2-4 in | 81-162 sq ft |
| Raised bed fill | 10-12 in | 27-32 sq ft |
| Around new tree planting | 3-4 in | 81-108 sq ft |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cubic yard of topsoil cover?
One cubic yard is 27 cubic feet, so it covers about 108 square feet at 3 inches deep, 162 square feet at 2 inches, or 54 square feet at 6 inches. A quick field shortcut: square footage divided by 108 gives cubic yards for a standard 3-inch layer.
How much does a cubic yard of topsoil weigh?
Screened, reasonably dry topsoil averages about 2,200 lb per cubic yard, which is roughly 1.1 tons. Wet soil after rain can exceed 2,700 lb, and heavy clay soils weigh more than sandy loam. The weight field is editable because this single number decides whether your load is legal on a half-ton pickup.
Should I buy topsoil in bags or bulk?
Bags win below about one cubic yard, roughly 36 of the 0.75 cu ft bags. Above that, bulk delivery is usually less than half the price per cubic yard and saves a great deal of lifting. The break-even shifts if you have no way to store or move a dumped pile.
Does topsoil settle after spreading?
Yes. Freshly delivered soil is fluffed from screening and handling, and it typically settles 10 to 20% after watering and foot traffic. If a finished 4-inch depth matters, order for 4.5 to 5 inches, or plan to topdress the low spots after the first few rains.
What is the difference between topsoil, garden soil and fill dirt?
Fill dirt is subsoil with little organic matter, used for bulk volume and grade changes. Topsoil is the upper organic horizon, usually screened, and it is what supports root growth. Garden soil is topsoil already amended with compost, sold at a premium and best reserved for beds rather than whole lawns.
How deep should topsoil be for a new lawn?
Four to six inches of quality topsoil over a loosened subgrade gives grass roots room to establish and holds moisture through summer. Two inches will grow grass, but it dries out quickly and shows every dry spell. Till the top inch or two of existing subgrade so the layers bond rather than shear apart.
How many bags equal a cubic yard?
It takes 36 bags at 0.75 cu ft, 27 bags at 1 cu ft, or 18 bags at 1.5 cu ft to make one cubic yard. The calculator rounds each bag count up, since suppliers do not sell partial bags.
Order 5-10% extra for settling and uneven subgrade. Weight figures are for load planning only — confirm axle limits before hauling soil yourself.