Topsoil Calculator
Estimate how much topsoil you need. Enter the area and depth for cubic yards and bags.
Area: 100 sq ft
1.4cubic yards
Bulk is usually sold in ½-yard increments with a ~1-yard delivery minimum — round up when you order.
Show the math
- Area100 sq ft
- Volume100 sq ft × 4 in ÷ 1233.3 cu ft
- Cubic yards33.3 cu ft ÷ 271.2 cu yd
- + 10% waste1.2 × 1.101.4 cu ydthe amount to buy in bulk, before rounding to bags
- Bags36.7 cu ft ÷ 0.75 cu ft/bag49 bagsrounded up to whole bags
- Weight1.4 cu yd × 1.1 tons/cu yd1.5 tons
Est. cost $27–$54typical bulk price · adjust for your supplier
Bags or bulk for this job?
For this size, bulk usually wins. Gravel & soil are heavy — a half-ton pickup carries only ~1 cu yd safely.
≈ 12 wheelbarrow loads to spread · delivery fee varies by distance — confirm at checkout.
- Low-fi estimate. Confirm coverage and bag sizes with your supplier.
- Includes a 10% overage allowance.
- Bag count assumes 0.75 cu ft bags. Bulk delivery is sold by the cubic yard.
- Weight assumes ~1.1 tons per cubic yard; actual density varies by material.
Doing more than one bed or material?
Want it installed?
Let a local pro know you're interested · no obligation
Planning more than one thing? Open the Yard Planner → to trace your whole yard over an aerial photo and total every material at once.
How to measure for topsoil
- Measure the length and width of your area in feet.
- Multiply them for square feet (or just enter length and width above).
- Choose a depth — we default to 4 inches for topsoil.
- Read your total in cubic yards, or the number of bags.
Topsoil coverage at a glance (4" deep)
| Area (sq ft) | Cubic yards | Bags |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | 1.4 | 49 |
| 200 | 2.7 | 98 |
| 300 | 4.1 | 147 |
| 500 | 6.8 | 245 |
| 1,000 | 13.6 | 489 |
Includes a 10% overage allowance. Estimates are low-fi — confirm with your supplier.
Frequently asked questions
How much topsoil do I need?
For a new lawn, plan on 4–6 inches; for topdressing, 2–3 inches. Enter your area and depth above for an exact figure.
How much does a yard of topsoil cover?
One cubic yard covers about 162 sq ft at 2 inches deep, or about 81 sq ft at 4 inches deep.
Bags or bulk?
Bagged topsoil is often about 0.75 cubic feet. For anything larger than a small bed, bulk (by the cubic yard) is far cheaper.
Planning a drainage project?
If you're buying topsoil to handle yard or foundation runoff, the French Drain calculators size the full system — gravel, pipe, fabric, and soil — in one place.