Topsoil and Soil Calculator
Find how much topsoil, fill dirt, compost or mulch to order for a lawn, garden bed or raised bed. Results are shown in cubic yards, cubic feet and tons.
Result
- Cubic feet
- 66.7 cu ft
- Cubic meters
- 1.89 m³
- Pounds
- 5,185 lb
- Metric tonnes
- 2.35 t
- Area covered
- 200 sq ft
Densities are typical values for loose, dry material. Moisture and compaction change the weight, so confirm with your supplier before ordering by the ton.
Formula
- Volume = area × depth
- Cubic yards = cubic feet ÷ 27
- Tons = cubic yards × density (lb per cubic yard) ÷ 2,000
How the Topsoil and Soil Calculator works
Soil products are sold by the cubic yard in bulk and by the cubic foot in bags. Multiply the bed area by the depth you want to get the volume. One cubic yard is 27 cubic feet.
Weight depends heavily on moisture. Screened topsoil averages about 2,100 pounds per cubic yard, compost about 1,200 and wood mulch about 600. For a new lawn, 4 to 6 inches of topsoil is typical. Raised beds are usually filled 10 to 12 inches deep.
Worked example
A garden bed 20 ft × 10 ft topped with 4 in of soil needs 66.7 cu ft, or 2.47 cubic yards. That is about 2.59 tons of topsoil, or 89 bags of 0.75 cu ft.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cubic yard of topsoil weigh?
Roughly 2,000 to 2,200 pounds when dry and loose, which is about one US ton. Wet soil can weigh 3,000 pounds or more per cubic yard.
How many bags of soil are in a cubic yard?
A cubic yard is 27 cubic feet. That is 36 bags of 0.75 cubic feet, 27 bags of 1 cubic foot, or 13.5 bags of 2 cubic feet.
How deep should mulch be?
Two to three inches is enough for most beds. Deeper layers can keep water and air from reaching roots.
Related calculators
- Gravel and Stone CalculatorCalculate how much gravel, crushed stone, pea gravel or river rock you need in cubic yards and tons from the area and depth.
- Sand CalculatorEstimate how much sand you need in cubic yards and tons for a sandbox, paver bed, play area or fill, based on area and depth.
- Square Footage CalculatorCalculate square footage for rectangles, circles, triangles and trapezoids. Results in square feet, square yards, square meters and acres.
- Concrete CalculatorCalculate concrete volume in cubic yards, cubic feet and cubic meters for slabs, footings and round columns, plus the number of 40, 60 and 80 lb bags.
- Concrete Block CalculatorWork out how many concrete blocks a wall needs from its length and height, with openings and a waste allowance.
- Asphalt CalculatorCalculate tons of hot mix asphalt for a driveway or parking area from length, width and thickness, with adjustable density.
- Stair CalculatorCalculate the number of steps, exact riser height, total run, stringer length and stair angle from the total rise.
- Fence CalculatorEstimate fence posts, sections, rails and pickets from the fence length, post spacing and picket size.
- Drywall CalculatorCalculate how many sheets of drywall or sheetrock a room needs from its dimensions, with doors, windows, ceiling and waste.
- Plywood CalculatorFind how many sheets of plywood or OSB cover a floor, wall or roof deck, based on the area, sheet size and waste allowance.
- Flooring and Carpet CalculatorCalculate flooring or carpet for a room in square feet and square yards, with waste and the number of boxes to buy.
Related unit converters
Calculations run in your browser and nothing you enter is sent to a server. Results are provided for general information. Check critical figures independently before relying on them.