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Topsoil Calculator

Area and depth to yards, tons and bags.

Also known as topsoil volume · soil quantity · fill volume

Quick answer

With the default inputs: Area 500 ft² · Spread depth 4 in · Settlement Will settleTopsoil required 7.10 yd³

Use your own dimensions ↓

Inputs

ft²
in

Result

Topsoil required
7.10yd³
Design volume166.7ft³
Order volume with settlement191.7ft³
Tons at 100 lb/ft³9.58ton
Bags of 1.5 ft³112
Pickup loads at 1.5 yd³4.7loads
Tons per yard1.35ton/yd³
How this is worked out

Fresh topsoil settles 10-20%, so order 15% over design - skip it and the bed drops as soon as you water, and topping up a small amount costs a full delivery. Compacted backfill does not need the allowance. Lawns take 4-6 in, beds 6-8 in, and 1-2 in is enough for a thin levelling coat. Unit weight is about 100 lb/ft³, roughly 1.35 tons per yard, with wet soil 10-15% heavier. If you are buying by the ton, ask whether that is wet or dry weight - wet soil by weight short-changes the volume you get.

Next up: Backfill Volume Calculator · Earthwork Calculator

Formula

Volume (ft³) = area × depth/12
Order = volume × 1.15settlement allowance
Cubic yards = order ÷ 27
Tons = order × 100 ÷ 2000topsoil ≈ 100 lb/ft³
500 ft² of lawn at 4 in: 166.7 ft³ design, 191.7 ft³ with settlement = 7.1 cubic yards, about 9.6 tons. At this size order bulk - bags would be 128 of them.

How to work it out

  1. Measure the area and calculate volume at the design depth.
  2. Lawns take 4-6 in, beds 6-8 in, and a thin levelling coat 1-2 in.
  3. Order 15% over the design volume for settlement - fresh topsoil drops once watered.
  4. Divide by 27 for cubic yards, or multiply by 100 lb/ft³ and divide by 2000 for tons.
  5. Firm the existing ground first, or the new layer keeps settling with it.

Where it goes wrong

Material and cost

Bulk topsoil runs USD 25-50 per yard delivered short haul, and blended garden soil 40-80. Bagged 1.5 ft³ is 3-6 a bag, which is 55-110 per yard - only sensible for small areas. Screened topsoil costs 30-50% more than unscreened but usually repays it in weeding and levelling.

On site

Basis

FAQ

What is the difference between topsoil and garden soil?
Topsoil is stripped surface soil, usually 2-10% organic matter, fine for lawns and general planting. Garden soil is a blended mix with compost, peat or sand added, higher in organic matter and better structured, and typically more than double the price. Beds and vegetable plots justify garden soil; bulk filling is better with topsoil. Ask for the clay and organic content - topsoil high in clay sets like concrete.
What prep does the ground need?
Rough grade and firm the existing ground first, since loose ground lets the new layer keep settling, and clear weeds and stones. If the subsoil is compacted, loosen 2-3 in and mix it with the new layer - laying straight onto it creates a boundary that sheds water and stops roots descending. Then rake level, firm lightly and water thoroughly so settlement happens once.
Why is buying by the ton a bad deal?
Because soil is sold by weight when what you need is volume. After rain, moisture goes from about 10% to 25%, so a ton occupies 10% less volume. The yard scale will not tell you how wet that batch is. Buy by the cubic yard where you can, or wait a few dry days after rain.

Cite this page

Use this format in reports, method statements or coursework. The link is permanent.

Building Calculator. Topsoil Calculator. 2026-10-25. https://jianzhujisuan.com/en/topsoil-yardage

Results are estimating aids only and are not a design basis. Construction and final accounts must follow the drawings, the applicable standards and an approved method statement. Anything affecting structural safety, shoring or falsework must be checked by a suitably qualified engineer.