How to calculate how much topsoil you need
- Multiply length × width in feet for square feet.
- Multiply by the depth in inches ÷ 12 for cubic feet.
- Add about 10 percent for settling.
- Divide by 27 for cubic yards, or by the bag size for bags.
Worked example. A 10 × 4 ft raised bed filled 8 inches: 40 ft² × 0.67 ft = 26.7 ft³. With 10 percent extra, 29.3 ft³: 1.09 yd³, or 40 bags of 0.75 ft³.
How deep should topsoil be?
| Project | Typical depth |
|---|---|
| Top-dressing an existing lawn | 1/4–1/2 in |
| New lawn from seed or sod | 4–6 in |
| Flower and shrub beds | 6–8 in |
| Vegetable beds | 8–12 in |
How many bags of soil make a yard?
| Bag size | Bags per cubic yard |
|---|---|
| 0.75 ft³ | 36 |
| 1 ft³ | 27 |
| 1.5 ft³ | 18 |
| 2 ft³ | 14 |
Past about a cubic yard, bulk delivery usually costs less than bags. Enter both prices to compare.
How much does a yard of topsoil weigh?
Dry topsoil weighs about 1.0 to 1.3 tons per cubic yard. Wet soil can weigh noticeably more, which matters if you are hauling it in a pickup.
Topsoil, garden soil or fill dirt?
Topsoil is screened surface soil for lawns and grading the top layer. Garden soil is topsoil mixed with compost for beds. Fill dirt has little organic matter and is for raising ground; use the fill dirt calculator for that.
Questions about soil quantities
How much soil for a 4 × 8 raised bed, 12 inches deep?
32 ft³: about 1.19 yd³, 43 bags of 0.75 ft³ or 22 bags of 1.5 ft³, before settling.
How many square feet does a yard of topsoil cover?
About 162 ft² at 2 inches, 81 ft² at 4 inches and 54 ft² at 6 inches.
Why add extra for settling?
Loose soil compacts after watering and rain, so beds filled exactly to the top sink below it within weeks.
Sources
Last reviewed November 2, 2026. Found a wrong figure? Tell us.