How Much Does a Yard of Topsoil Weigh?
Part of Landscaping & Aggregate
Quick answer
A cubic yard of screened topsoil weighs roughly 2,000–2,200 lb dry — about one ton. Wet or clay-heavy soil weighs more, up to about 2,700 lb (1.35 tons) per yard. Because of that, a standard pickup can usually carry only about half a yard of topsoil safely.
Topsoil is sold by the cubic yard (volume) but trucked and sometimes priced by the ton (weight), so the weight per yard is the number that connects the two. It depends mostly on moisture and how much clay or sand is in the mix.
Weight per cubic yard by type
| Soil type | Approx. weight per yard | Tons per yard |
|---|---|---|
| Dry screened topsoil | ~2,000–2,200 lb | ~1.0–1.1 tons |
| Moist topsoil | ~2,200–2,500 lb | ~1.1–1.25 tons |
| Wet / clay-heavy soil | ~2,500–2,700 lb | ~1.25–1.35 tons |
| Topsoil + compost blend | ~1,700–2,000 lb | ~0.85–1.0 tons |
Rain alone can add 300–500 lb to a cubic yard, which matters when a delivery truck or your trailer is rated by weight. Use about 1.1 tons per yard as a planning average for ordering.
How much can you haul?
- Half-ton pickup: about ½ cubic yard of topsoil (≈1,100 lb) — don't overload it.
- ¾–1 ton pickup: about 1 cubic yard.
- Small dump trailer: 1–2 cubic yards depending on its rating.
- A 40 lb bag holds ~0.75 ft³, so about 36 bags weigh the same as one yard.
Get your project's cubic yards from the topsoil calculator, then multiply by ~1.1 to estimate the tons for a by-weight order or to check what your vehicle can carry.
FAQs
How many tons is a yard of topsoil?
About 1.0–1.1 tons for dry screened topsoil, and up to 1.35 tons when it's wet or clay-heavy. Use 1.1 tons per cubic yard as a planning average.
Can a pickup truck carry a yard of topsoil?
A half-ton pickup should carry only about half a yard (roughly 1,100 lb) at a time. A ¾- or 1-ton truck can handle a full cubic yard. Overloading strains the suspension and brakes.
Why does wet topsoil weigh more?
Water fills the air gaps between soil particles and adds its own weight — 300–500 lb per cubic yard after heavy rain. That's why suppliers and truck ratings assume a heavier figure for damp soil.