AreaMapTopsoil calculator
Enter the size of the area and how deep the soil goes. Pick the material for its weight and get cubic yards and tons.
How topsoil is calculated
Square feet times the depth in feet (inches ÷ 12) gives cubic feet. Divide by 27 for cubic yards. Multiply by the soil’s weight per yard for tons: topsoil is about 1.1 tons per cubic yard, compost about half that.
Example: a 20 × 10 ft area 4 in deep is 200 × 0.33 = 66.7 ft³: 2.47 cubic yards, about 2.7 tons of topsoil.
How deep should topsoil be?
| Project | Depth |
|---|---|
| Topdressing a lawn | ¼ to ½ in |
| Seeding or sodding a new lawn | 4 to 6 in |
| Flower beds | 8 to 12 in |
| Raised vegetable beds | 12 in or more |
Soil settles, so order about 10% more for deep fills.
Questions
How much does a yard of topsoil weigh?
About 1.1 tons when dry and loose. Wet soil can weigh noticeably more.
How much area does a yard of topsoil cover?
About 81 ft² at 4 in deep, 54 ft² at 6 in, or 324 ft² at 1 in.
How much topsoil do I need for a new lawn?
4 to 6 in over the whole lawn. For 1,000 ft² at 4 in, that’s 12.3 cubic yards.
What’s the difference between topsoil and fill dirt?
Topsoil is the dark, organic top layer that plants grow in. Fill dirt is subsoil for raising grade and filling holes; cover it with topsoil if anything needs to grow.