Topsoil Calculator — Embeddable Widget

Calculate Your Topsoil Needs

What are you doing?

Units

How do you want to enter your area?

Length (ft)

Width (ft)

Desired depth (in)

8–12″ is typical for raised beds.

The math:

Cubic Feet = Length × Width × (Depth ÷ 12)

Cubic Yards = Cubic Feet ÷ 27 · Tons ≈ Cubic Yards × 1.2

Bags (40 lb) ≈ Cubic Feet ÷ 0.75

You need approximately

33.3

cubic feet of topsoil

That's about

~1.48 tons

(1.23 cu yd)

Weight is approximate

Also approximately

~45

bags of topsoil (40 lb) avg. 0.75 cu ft/bag

For 100 sq ft at 4″ deep. Add 10% extra for settling.

Quick topsoil unit conversions
1 unit	Cubic feet	Cubic yards	Cubic meters	Est. tons
1 cubic yard	27	1	0.765	~1.2
1 cubic meter	35.3	1.308	1	~1.57
1 ton (approx.)	22.5	0.83	0.64	1

Topsoil depth guidelines by project
Project	Typical depth	Notes
New raised bed	8–12″	Fill to within 1–2″ of the rim.
New lawn (from scratch)	4–6″	Spread before seeding or sodding.
Topdress existing lawn	0.25–0.5″	Thin layer, raked level. Don’t smother grass.
Level low spots	0.5–2″	Build up gradually; let grass grow through.