Topsoil Calculator
Work out how much topsoil to order for a bed or border. Enter the length and width in feet and the depth in inches to get cubic yards, cubic feet, bags and weight.
How to calculate topsoil
- Enter the length and width of the bed in feet.
- Enter how deep you want the topsoil in inches.
- Read the cubic yards, number of bags and approximate weight to order.
Examples
A 20 by 10 ft bed, 6 inches deep
Length 20 ft, width 10 ft, depth 6 in
100 cubic feet, 3.7 cubic yards, 134 bags, about 4 tons
Frequently asked questions
How much topsoil do I need?
Multiply the bed area in square feet by the depth in feet to get cubic feet, then divide by 27 for cubic yards. A 20 by 10 foot bed at 6 inches deep needs about 3.7 cubic yards.
How many bags of topsoil are in a cubic yard?
A cubic yard is 27 cubic feet, so it equals 36 of the common 0.75 cubic foot bags. Bulk delivery is usually cheaper once you pass a cubic yard.
How much does topsoil weigh?
Topsoil weighs roughly 2160 pounds, or about 1.08 tons, per cubic yard. Moisture and organic content shift this, so treat the weight as an estimate.
How deep should topsoil be?
New lawns and flower beds usually want 4 to 6 inches, while raised vegetable beds often want 8 to 12 inches. Set the depth field to match your project.
Should I order a little extra?
Yes. Soil settles and beds are rarely perfectly even, so ordering around 5 to 10 percent more helps you avoid a second delivery.
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