Topsoil Calculator
Work out how much topsoil you need for raised beds, lawn top-dressing or new lawn establishment - in cubic yards and bags.
The topsoil calculator works out how much soil you need for raised garden beds, new lawn establishment, lawn top-dressing or planting holes for trees and shrubs. Each application has a different depth: raised beds need 12 inches for deep-rooted vegetables, new lawns need 4-6 inches over a prepared sub-base, and lawn top-dressing needs only 1/4 inch spread evenly. The calculator returns cubic yards (the unit bulk topsoil is sold in), tons (most yards weigh and price by weight) and bag count if you are buying retail.
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Frequently asked questions
A 4x8 ft raised bed at the recommended 12 inch depth needs 32 cubic feet of topsoil - that is about 1.2 cubic yards or 43 bags of standard 0.75 cu ft topsoil. Bulk is dramatically cheaper for this much: 1.2 cubic yards delivered runs $40-80 vs $150+ in bags.
For establishing a new lawn over poor subsoil, plan on 4-6 inches of topsoil. 1000 sq ft at 5 inches deep = 417 cubic feet = 15.4 cubic yards. That is roughly 17 tons. Order delivery by the truckload (typically 10-15 cubic yards per truck) and have it dumped close to where it goes.
Dry topsoil weighs about 1800-2200 lbs per cubic yard. Wet or moist topsoil weighs 2300-2500 lbs per cubic yard. Most landscape suppliers quote in cubic yards but may charge by weight if you load yourself. 1 cubic yard fills a standard pickup truck bed about 2/3 full.
Topsoil is the upper 6-12 inches of natural ground soil, screened and sold for filling, leveling and lawn establishment. Garden soil (or planting mix) is topsoil amended with compost, peat or perlite for higher organic content - better for raised beds and planting. Use topsoil for fill, garden soil for plants.
Yes - dramatically. Bagged 0.75 cu ft topsoil runs $3-5 per bag = $108-180 per cubic yard equivalent. Bulk delivered topsoil is $30-60 per cubic yard in most regions. Break-even is around 5-10 bags. For raised beds, lawn jobs or any project over 1 cubic yard, always order bulk if you can get it on your property.