How Much Topsoil Do I Need? Cubic Yards, Bags and Coverage Chart
Part of the project planner: Planning a new lawn and garden beds.
To cover 1,000 square feet with 4 inches of topsoil you need about 13.6 cubic yards, which is 15 tons, with 10% extra for settling. The formula is the area times the depth in feet, divided by 27. The topsoil calculator works it out for your own area, depth and material, in cubic yards, tons and bags.
Cubic yards of topsoil by area and depth
With 10% extra:
| Area | 2 in | 3 in | 4 in | 6 in |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 sq ft | 0.68 | 1.02 | 1.36 | 2.04 |
| 250 sq ft | 1.70 | 2.55 | 3.40 | 5.09 |
| 500 sq ft | 3.40 | 5.09 | 6.79 | 10.19 |
| 1,000 sq ft | 6.79 | 10.19 | 13.58 | 20.37 |
| 2,000 sq ft | 13.58 | 20.37 | 27.16 | 40.74 |
| 5,000 sq ft | 33.95 | 50.93 | 67.90 | 101.85 |
Weight of different materials
For 1,000 sq ft at 4 inches deep:
| Material | Weight | Cubic yards | Total weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Topsoil | 1.1 tons per cubic yard | 13.58 | 14.9 tons |
| Compost | 0.6 tons per cubic yard | 13.58 | 8.1 tons |
| Garden or raised-bed mix | 0.8 tons per cubic yard | 13.58 | 10.9 tons |
| Sand | 1.35 tons per cubic yard | 13.58 | 18.3 tons |
| Fill dirt | 1.25 tons per cubic yard | 13.58 | 17.0 tons |
Soil is heavy when it is wet. A cubic yard of topsoil is about 1.1 tons, so a truck that carries a ton or two carries only one or two yards.
How far does a bag go?
Area covered at each depth, by bag size:
| Depth | 1 cubic foot bag | 2 cubic foot bag | 1 cubic yard (bulk) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 inch | 12 sq ft | 24 sq ft | 324 sq ft |
| 2 inches | 6 sq ft | 12 sq ft | 162 sq ft |
| 4 inches | 3 sq ft | 6 sq ft | 81 sq ft |
Bags suit small beds and patches. For more than a yard or two, bulk soil delivered by the cubic yard costs far less.
How deep for each job
- New lawn: 4 to 6 inches of topsoil over the loosened subsoil. A lawn of 5,000 sq ft at 4 inches takes 67.9 cubic yards.
- Overseeding or leveling a lawn: a thin top-dressing of about a quarter to a half inch. For 5,000 sq ft at ½ inch that is 8.5 cubic yards.
- Flower and vegetable beds: 6 to 12 inches of good soil, mixed with compost.
- Raised beds: fill the whole height of the bed with a garden mix. See the raised bed soil guide.
- Trees and shrubs: plant in the existing soil, with some compost mixed in. Do not pile soil against the trunk.
Buying tips
- Ask for screened topsoil, which has no large stones or clumps, and for a mix with some organic matter.
- Check that it is free of weeds and contaminants. A soil test (pH and nutrients) tells you what to add.
- Order a little extra: soil settles by 10 to 15% after it is watered.
- Spread it in layers, rake it level and water it to settle before you seed or sod.
See the cubic yard calculator for any other material and the cubic yards guide for the formula. Estimates only: confirm the amount with your supplier.
Frequently asked questions
How much topsoil do I need?
Multiply the area in square feet by the depth in feet and divide by 27 for cubic yards, then add 10% for settling. 1,000 sq ft at 4 inches deep is 13.58 cubic yards.
How many square feet does a cubic yard of topsoil cover?
108 square feet at 3 inches deep, 81 at 4 inches and 54 at 6 inches (324 divided by the depth in inches).
How much does a cubic yard of topsoil weigh?
About 1.1 tons (2,200 pounds) for a screened topsoil, 0.6 tons for compost and 1.35 tons for sand. A pickup truck takes about a cubic yard or less.
How deep should topsoil be for a new lawn?
Four to six inches is a good depth for a new lawn: 67.9 cubic yards for 5,000 sq ft at 4 inches. For overseeding an existing lawn you spread only a thin layer of about a quarter to a half inch.
How many bags of topsoil do I need?
A 1 cubic foot bag covers 12 sq ft at 1 inch deep, and a 2 cubic foot bag 24 sq ft. A bed 20 × 5 ft and 6 inches deep needs 55 bags of 1 cubic foot or 28 of 2.
More guides
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Estimates only. Quantities depend on your materials, site and supplier. Confirm important numbers before you order, and follow local building codes for anything structural.