Topsoil Calculator
Enter the area and the depth of soil you want to add. The calculator returns cubic yards and tons (screened topsoil runs about 1.1 tons per cubic yard). For a new lawn 4–6 inches is typical; raised beds usually want 8–12 inches.
Your measurements
Topsoil needed
3.7 yd³
≈ 4.07 tons
Estimates only. Verify against your supplier's coverage figures before ordering.
Footprint
Footprint to scale
Coverage
- Surface area
- 200 ft²
The formula
Cubic yards = Length ft × Width ft × (Depth in ÷ 12) ÷ 27
Example: A 20 ft × 10 ft bed at 6 in deep = 3.70 yd³ ≈ 4.1 tons of topsoil.
How it works
- 1Calculate the volume in cubic yards (area × depth ÷ 27).
- 2Screened topsoil is usually sold by the cubic yard, so order by volume.
- 3For weight, multiply by ~1.1 tons per cubic yard.
Frequently asked questions
How much topsoil do I need for a raised bed?
Measure the bed's length and width and use the finished soil depth (usually 8–12 inches). For example, a 4 ft × 8 ft bed filled 10 inches deep needs about 0.99 cubic yards of soil.
How much does a yard of topsoil weigh?
Screened, fairly dry topsoil weighs roughly 1.0–1.3 tons per cubic yard. Wet or compost-rich soil weighs more. We use 1.1 tons per yard as a typical figure.