How much topsoil do I need?
Multiply the area by the depth to get cubic feet, then divide by 27 to get cubic yards. Landscape yards sell bulk topsoil by the cubic yard. Garden centers sell it in 0.75 or 1 cu ft bags.
Cubic yards = length (ft) × width (ft) × depth (in) ÷ 324
A 20 × 10 ft area at 4 inches: 20 × 10 × 4 ÷ 324 = 2.47 cubic yards. Add 10% for settling and you need 2.72 cubic yards, so order 3. In 0.75 cu ft bags that's 98 bags.
Loose topsoil settles as it's raked, watered and rolled. Order about 10% extra for most jobs, and up to 20% for deep fills or very fluffy, screened soil.
How far a cubic yard of topsoil goes
| Depth | Coverage per cubic yard | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| 1/4 in | 1,296 sq ft | Topdressing a lawn |
| 1 in | 324 sq ft | Filling low spots, leveling |
| 2 in | 162 sq ft | Repairing thin lawn areas |
| 4 in | 81 sq ft | New lawn from seed or sod |
| 6 in | 54 sq ft | New lawn on poor subsoil, garden beds |
| 12 in | 27 sq ft | Raised beds |
These are exact volumes before settling. A cubic yard of topsoil typically weighs about 1 to 1.4 tons, more when it's wet, so check that your truck or trailer can carry it before you pick up a load yourself.
Topsoil calculator in square feet
If you already know the square footage, choose "I know sq ft" for the area. Divide square feet by the coverage in the table to check the answer: 500 sq ft at 4 inches is 500 ÷ 81 = 6.2 cubic yards before settling.
Topsoil for a new lawn
A new lawn is typically built on 4–6 inches of topsoil over loosened subsoil. Use 6 inches if the existing ground is clay, rock or fill. Grade the soil so it slopes away from the house, then roll it lightly before seeding or laying sod.
Topsoil for leveling and overseeding
To topdress a lawn before overseeding, spread no more than about 1/4 inch at a time so the grass isn't smothered. A 1,000 sq ft lawn at 1/4 inch takes 0.77 cubic yards, or 28 bags of 0.75 cu ft. Fill deeper low spots in a few passes, letting the grass grow through between them.
Topsoil for a raised garden bed
A 4 × 8 ft bed filled 12 inches deep holds 32 cu ft. With 10% for settling that's 1.3 cubic yards, or 47 bags of 0.75 cu ft. Most gardeners fill raised beds with a blend of topsoil and compost rather than topsoil alone, so ask your supplier for a garden mix.
Bulk or bagged topsoil
One cubic yard is 27 cu ft: 36 bags of 0.75 cu ft or 27 bags of 1 cu ft. Above about a yard, bulk delivery is usually cheaper even after the delivery fee. Bags make sense for small beds, patch jobs and places a truck can't reach. Screened topsoil costs more than unscreened, but it has fewer rocks and roots and spreads more easily.
Pricing a topsoil job
Landscapers usually price topsoil as material per cubic yard plus markup, delivery at cost, and labor to spread and grade. Spreading by wheelbarrow is far slower than with a skid steer, so set your own hours in contractor mode. Add the job to a landscaping estimate along with seed or sod.
Questions
How much topsoil do I need for 1,000 sq ft?
At 4 inches deep, 1,000 sq ft needs 12.3 cubic yards, or about 13.6 with 10% extra for settling. At 1 inch, it needs 3.1 cubic yards.
How many bags of topsoil are in a cubic yard?
A cubic yard is 27 cubic feet, so it equals 36 bags of 0.75 cu ft or 27 bags of 1 cu ft.
How deep should topsoil be for a new lawn?
Typically 4–6 inches. Use the deeper figure over clay, rock or construction fill.
How much area does a yard of topsoil cover?
One cubic yard covers 324 sq ft at 1 inch deep, 162 sq ft at 2 inches, and 81 sq ft at 4 inches.
Is it cheaper to buy topsoil in bags or bulk?
Bulk is usually cheaper once you need more than about one cubic yard, even with a delivery fee. Bags suit small beds and hard-to-reach spots.