How much topsoil do you need?

To calculate the amount of soil you need, multiply your area by the desired thickness. Make sure to use consistent units. For example, if you have an area of 120 square feet and a depth of 6 inches, you would multiply 120 by half a foot, which is equal to 60 cubic feet or about 2.2 cubic yards. If you enter your area and thickness into this calculator, it will calculate the amount in cubic yards, cubic feet, and cubic meters.

How many bags of dirt are in a cubic yard?

This depends on the capacity of the bags. Since a cubic yard is equal to 27 cubic feet, you would need either 27 one-cubic-foot bags, 18 1.5 cubic-foot bags or about 36 (0.75 cubic foot) bags for regular dirt. When you select the number of bags and bag size, the calculator will show you the required amount.

How much does a cubic yard of topsoil weigh?

Dry, uncompacted topsoil weighs about 1.0 to 1.3 US tons per cubic yard. Wet or compacted soil is heavier because it contains more water and compaction, resulting in a weight of approximately 1.5 to 1.7 tons per cubic yard. The stated weight is based on the selected condition of the soil.

How deep should the topsoil be?

For remodeling an existing garden, 3 to 6 inches of new soil is usually enough. When building a new raised bed garden, fill the entire container with soil. It's best to add a little more soil than you need since it will compact after being filled in.

Should I buy soil by cubic yard or ton?

It depends on the provider. Some providers will give prices per cubic yard or meter while others will price by tonnage. This calculator shows both volume and estimated weight so you can compare prices depending on how each provider sells their products.

Topsoil Calculator

Area and depth

Enter the space two ways: length and width, or a known area. Then set how deep the soil should be.

How do you want to enter the area?

Measure the length and width of the space, or type an area you already know.

Length and width

I already know the area

Measure the length and width of the space. The calculator multiplies them for the area, then multiplies by depth for the volume.

Length

Width

Depth

Depth unit

Topsoil depth is usually given in inches. Refreshing a bed takes about 3 to 6 inches; a new raised bed is filled to its full depth.

Bags, weight, and cost (optional)

Turn the volume into a shopping list: a bag count, an estimated weight in tons, and a total cost.

Show how many bags

Turn your volume into a bag count for a bag size you choose.

Show the weight in tons

Soil is often sold by weight. Estimate the tonnage from the soil's density.

Show the total cost

Enter a price to estimate what the soil will cost for your project.

Your result

Topsoil needed

Enter the area (or a length and width) and a depth to see how much topsoil you need.

Please input values into the fields

The garden soil calculator helps you determine the amount of garden soil required for flower beds, lawns or landscaping projects before ordering bags or cubic yards. By measuring the area to be covered and desired depth of soil, the tool calculates volume in cubic yards, cubic feet and meters cubed. The number of bags needed, weight in tons and total cost can also be estimated.

How much potting soil is required?

As potting soil is sold by volume, the amount required depends on two factors: the area to be covered and the desired thickness of the layer of soil. The volume is obtained from multiplying the surface area by the depth.

For smaller projects you may be able to buy a few bags of soil. For larger projects it is usually cheaper to order bulk in cubic yards or meters and arrange for delivery. The tool will show both results at the same time so that you can easily compare them.

Calculation:

Volume is the product of area and depth. Depth is usually given in inches while area is measured in feet. So before calculating, you need to convert the depth into feet.

\text{Volume} = \text{area} \times \text{depth}

For example, if you're covering an area of 120 square feet with a depth of 6 inches, the volume is 60 cubic feet, which is equal to 120 multiplied by 0.5.

120\ \text{ft}^2 \times 0.5\ \text{ft} = 60\ \text{ft}^3

Raised garden beds are ordered in cubic yards, and one cubic yard is equal to 27 cubic feet. Dividing 60 by 27 gives you approximately 2.2 cubic yards.

60\ \text{ft}^3 \div 27 = 2.22\ \text{yd}^3

To measure this area, do the following:

Measure the length and width of your area with a tape measure, then write down those measurements. Next, determine the depth.

Choose a method to enter area. Either enter length and width or enter the known area already.
Determine the depth. For a garden that is being reworked, you will usually need between 3 and 6 inches of new soil. With raised beds, fill in the entire area with soil.
Check out the volume listed in cubic yards, cubic feet and cubic meters.
Open the Quantity, Weight or Cost tabs to create an order plan.

If the shape of the area is irregular, divide it into several simple rectangles, calculate the result for each one and then add up the results. As the ground can settle over time, round up the depth and allow some leeway.

A cubic yard of dirt.

A cubic yard is a cube that has sides 1 yard long. When you picture a delivery truck full of dirt, it's easier to understand the size when stated in another unit.

1 cubic yard equals	Which is
3 ft x 3 ft x 3 ft	27 cubic feet
36 in x 36 in x 36 in	46,656 cubic inches
0.9144 m x 0.9144 m x 0.9144 m	about 0.765 cubic meters
A 3 inch layer over	about 108 square feet

Estimation of tons of soil.

Some suppliers sell soil by weight rather than volume. To convert the volume to a weight you need to know the density of the soil, which is how much it weighs per cubic yard.

\text{Weight} = \text{volume in yards} \times \text{density}

Dry and uncompacted topsoil has a density of about 1.0 to 1.3 U.S. tons per cubic yard. Wet or compacted soils are heavier due to the water content and compaction, ranging from about 1.5 to 1.7 tons per cubic yard. This calculator allows you to select the condition in the weight section or enter a custom density, with results shown both in U.S. and metric tons.

Packaged or loose?

Bagged soil is ideal for small flower beds and containers because it's easy to transport and store. A 40-pound bag contains about half to three-quarters of a cubic foot of soil, while larger bags hold one to three cubic feet.

If you need more than about a cubic yard of dirt for your project, it is usually cheaper to buy larger quantities even when shipping costs are factored in. The table shows the number of bags required for a given bag size so that you can compare the two options.

What is upper ground?

In landscape architecture, topsoil refers to earth that has been sifted to remove dirt, rocks and large clumps of soil, resulting in a uniform texture. It is different from fill material used to fill large areas or level ground. It also differs from potting soil or compost which are enriched with nutrients for use in plantings. The calculation of volume is the same for all materials; the only difference being density and price.

This calculator is for planning purposes only. As earth settles and the covered area can vary, please measure carefully, allow a buffer and confirm quantity with supplier before ordering.

Frequently asked questions

How much topsoil do you need?: To calculate the amount of soil you need, multiply your area by the desired thickness. Make sure to use consistent units. For example, if you have an area of 120 square feet and a depth of 6 inches, you would multiply 120 by half a foot, which is equal to 60 cubic feet or about 2.2 cubic yards. If you enter your area and thickness into this calculator, it will calculate the amount in cubic yards, cubic feet, and cubic meters.
How many bags of dirt are in a cubic yard?: This depends on the capacity of the bags. Since a cubic yard is equal to 27 cubic feet, you would need either 27 one-cubic-foot bags, 18 1.5 cubic-foot bags or about 36 (0.75 cubic foot) bags for regular dirt. When you select the number of bags and bag size, the calculator will show you the required amount.
How much does a cubic yard of topsoil weigh?: Dry, uncompacted topsoil weighs about 1.0 to 1.3 US tons per cubic yard. Wet or compacted soil is heavier because it contains more water and compaction, resulting in a weight of approximately 1.5 to 1.7 tons per cubic yard. The stated weight is based on the selected condition of the soil.
How deep should the topsoil be?: For remodeling an existing garden, 3 to 6 inches of new soil is usually enough. When building a new raised bed garden, fill the entire container with soil. It's best to add a little more soil than you need since it will compact after being filled in.
Should I buy soil by cubic yard or ton?: It depends on the provider. Some providers will give prices per cubic yard or meter while others will price by tonnage. This calculator shows both volume and estimated weight so you can compare prices depending on how each provider sells their products.

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Disclaimer: This calculator is provided for general informational and educational purposes only. Our calculators are under active development, and results may be inaccurate, incomplete, or unsuitable for your situation. Always verify the figures independently and seek advice from a qualified professional before relying on them. We make no warranties and accept no liability for any loss or decision arising from use of this tool.

References

Topsoil Calculator - topsoilcalculator.net
Cubic feet, cubic yards, and bag counts from area and thickness.
NIST Special Publication 811: Guide for the Use of the International System of Units
The US national standard for SI units, unit names and symbols, and conversion factors.