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
Coverage
- Surface area
- 200 ft²
- Depth
- 6 in
Topsoil needed
3.7 yd³
≈ 4.07 tons
Order this
- Weight
- 4.07 tons
- Cubic feet
- 100 ft³
Estimates only. Order a little extra for waste and verify against your supplier's coverage figures.
Footprint
Footprint to scale
The formula
Tons = (Length ft × Width ft × Depth ft ÷ 27) × 1.1 tons/yd³
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).
- 2Multiply by ~1.1 to convert cubic yards to tons for screened topsoil.
- 3Suppliers usually sell by the ton, so order by weight.
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.