Free calculator
Top Soil Calculator
Use this top soil calculator to estimate how much soil you need for leveling, lawn repair, garden beds, or light grading. Enter length, width, depth, bag volume, density, and waste to get cubic feet, cubic yards, optional tons, and bag count.
EstimateEstimate only; settling, soil moisture, supplier bag fill, drainage, and local conditions vary.
Project inputs
Estimate
1.83 cubic yards of top soil
For 180 sq ft at 3 inches deep, use about 49.5 cubic feet, 1.83 cubic yards, or 50 bags at 1 cubic foot per bag.
Printable material list
Estimate- Screened top soil1.83 cu yd10% extra for settling and grading
- Bagged top soil50 1-cu ft bagsuse bag label when different
- Bulk cost placeholder$69.54$38/cu yd assumption
- Optional weight estimate2.01 tons1.1 tons/cu yd assumption
- Rake and grading allowance1 passplan extra time for low spots
Estimate only. Soil moisture, settling, screening, and supplier fill levels vary.
Visible defaults
Assumptions
- Cubic yards equal cubic feet divided by 27.
- Default settling allowance is 10 percent.
- Bag count defaults to 1 cubic foot bags and rounds up.
- Weight is optional because soil moisture changes ton estimates.
Math
Calculation details
- Area = length x width.
- Cubic feet = area x depth in feet.
- Cubic yards = cubic feet / 27.
- Bags = cubic feet / bag volume.
What this top soil calculator estimates
Top soil projects often start with a simple question: how many bags or cubic yards do I need? The answer depends on area and depth, not just the visible size of the yard. This calculator converts a measured rectangle or average area into cubic feet, cubic yards, bag count, and optional tons so you can compare bagged soil with a bulk delivery.
The result is best for planning lawn repair, filling shallow low spots, starting a garden area, refreshing a bed, or pricing a small delivery. It is not a soil test, grading plan, drainage design, or recommendation for a specific plant. Soil quality, texture, organic matter, and moisture still need to be judged locally.
Choosing a soil depth
Depth drives the material order. A thin topdressing might be a quarter inch to half inch. Lawn repair or leveling can use one to three inches depending on the low spot. New planting beds may need more, but deep fills often call for a blend of existing soil, compost, and other amendments rather than pure purchased top soil.
Before ordering, mark the area and decide whether the depth is an average or a finished grade. If the ground is uneven, a three inch average may hide six inch pockets and one inch high spots. For better planning, split the yard into zones and calculate each zone separately.
Formula used
The calculator multiplies length by width to get square feet. It converts depth from inches to feet, multiplies area by depth to get cubic feet, then divides by 27 to get cubic yards. The settling allowance is applied after the base volume because loose soil can settle, spread into low spots, or be lost during raking.
Bag count is cubic feet divided by the bag volume. A store may sell 0.75 cu ft, 1 cu ft, 1.5 cu ft, or 2 cu ft bags, so the bag volume field should match the label. Optional tons are shown only as a planning number because wet soil can weigh much more than dry soil.
Bagged soil versus bulk soil
Bagged soil is easy to load, carry, and store, especially for small beds or patch repairs. Bulk soil usually makes sense when the order reaches multiple cubic yards, but it requires access for delivery and a place to dump the pile. The calculator shows both units so the size of the job is clear before you commit.
If you are comparing prices, include delivery fees, minimum orders, taxes, and the labor of moving soil. A cheap bulk price can become less attractive for a tiny project, while bagged soil can become expensive and tiring when the bag count climbs into the dozens.
Common mistakes
One common mistake is treating a bag count from a different bag size as universal. Always check the label volume. Another mistake is forgetting settling. Freshly spread soil can compact after watering, foot traffic, and rain. A small allowance helps, but severe low spots may need a second pass after the first layer settles.
Do not bury existing turf too deeply when topdressing a lawn. For live grass, thin repeated applications are often better than one thick layer. For garden beds, think about soil blend and drainage rather than simply adding more top soil.
Using the printable list
The printed material list is designed to take to a garden center or landscape yard. It gives cubic feet, cubic yards, bag count, optional tons, and the assumptions used. If the supplier sells by scoop, bucket, or yard, use the cubic yard result. If a store sells bags, use the bag count and confirm the bag volume.
Keep the disclaimer with the list. It is a planning estimate, and local soil conditions vary. If the project affects drainage, foundation grade, tree roots, or runoff, get local advice before placing material.
Quick reference
Top soil coverage by depth
| Depth | Coverage per cubic yard | 1 cu ft bags per 100 sq ft |
|---|---|---|
| 1 in | 324 sq ft | 9 bags |
| 2 in | 162 sq ft | 17 bags |
| 3 in | 108 sq ft | 25 bags |
| 4 in | 81 sq ft | 34 bags |
1 cubic yard = 27 cubic feet. Bag counts assume 1 cubic foot bags, rounded up, before any settling allowance.
FAQ
Top Soil Calculator FAQ
How do I calculate top soil needed?
Multiply length by width for area, multiply by depth in feet for cubic feet, then divide by 27 for cubic yards. Add a settling or waste allowance and round bag counts up.
How much does one cubic yard of top soil cover?
One cubic yard covers about 324 square feet at 1 inch deep, 162 square feet at 2 inches deep, or 108 square feet at 3 inches deep before waste or settling.
How many bags of top soil are in a cubic yard?
A cubic yard is 27 cubic feet. If each bag is 1 cubic foot, one cubic yard is 27 bags. If each bag is 1.5 cubic feet, one cubic yard is 18 bags.
Should I order extra top soil?
A modest settling allowance is useful because soil can compact, rake into low spots, and vary by moisture. The default calculator allowance is 10 percent.
Can I use this for raised beds?
You can use the volume math, but raised beds often need a soil blend rather than only top soil. For a dedicated raised bed estimate, include compost and other amendments separately.
Why is soil weight optional?
Soil weight changes significantly with moisture and composition. Cubic yards are usually a better starting point for landscape planning unless the supplier gives a specific weight conversion.
Methodology
Who built and reviewed this estimate
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