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Topsoil Volume Calculator

Calculate how many cubic yards of topsoil you need to fill raised beds, level yards, or establish new lawns.

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Topsoil needed cubic yards
— cubic yards
Topsoil is the foundation of every successful lawn, garden, and landscape project. Whether you are filling raised beds, leveling a bumpy yard, establishing a new lawn from seed, or amending poor native soil, knowing the right volume to order prevents costly shortages and unnecessary extra deliveries. This calculator works for any rectangular area. For irregularly shaped yards or beds, break the area into approximate rectangles, calculate each section, and add the totals together. For raised beds, use the interior dimensions and the full depth of the bed walls. Topsoil depth recommendations vary by project. New lawn installation from seed or sod needs a minimum of 4 to 6 inches of quality topsoil over the subgrade. Raised vegetable beds perform best with 10 to 12 inches of topsoil blended with compost. Filling low spots in an existing lawn may only need 1 to 2 inches, though applying more than 1 inch at a time can smother existing grass. Level in thin layers and let the grass grow through between applications. Topsoil is sold by the cubic yard for bulk delivery. One cubic yard weighs approximately 2,000 to 2,200 pounds depending on moisture content. A standard dump truck holds 10 to 14 cubic yards. For smaller quantities under 2 cubic yards, many landscape supply yards let you fill a pickup truck or trailer. Bagged topsoil is available at garden centers in 1-cubic-foot bags, but the cost per yard is three to five times higher than bulk. Not all topsoil is created equal. Screened topsoil has been filtered to remove rocks, roots, and debris. Unscreened topsoil is cheaper but may contain clumps and foreign material that makes spreading difficult. For garden beds and lawns, always specify screened topsoil. Ask the supplier about the soil composition. A good topsoil blend contains roughly 40 percent sand, 40 percent silt, and 20 percent clay with organic matter mixed in. Topsoil settles after delivery and watering. Plan for roughly 10 to 15 percent settling over the first few months. If you need a finished depth of 6 inches, order enough for 7 inches to compensate. Compact the soil lightly with a lawn roller for seed beds, but avoid heavy compaction which destroys soil structure and drainage.