Topsoil Calculator
Enter your dimensions for an instant answer — the exact quantity to buy (waste included), a material cost, and an estimated installed cost. Change any figure to update the result live.
| ITEM | QTY | PRICE RANGE |
|---|---|---|
| cubic yards (bulk) | 2.59 | $64.75–$129.5 |
| Estimated material total | $64.75–$129.5 |
- 94 × 40 lb bags — $282–$564
How much topsoil do I need?
Enter the area and the depth you want: about 2 inches for topdressing an existing lawn, 4–6 inches for a new lawn or garden bed. The calculator converts the volume to cubic yards — how bulk topsoil is sold — and shows the bagged alternative.
Bulk delivery is far cheaper above roughly one cubic yard: a yard of topsoil equals about 36 of the common 0.75 cubic foot bags and weighs around 1.1 tons screened and dry.
Formula & methodology
cubic yards = (length ft × width ft × depth in ÷ 12) ÷ 27, + 5% waste
A straight volume conversion with a 5% settling allowance, rounded to practical order quantities.
All constants are published on the material reference; the full model is on the methodology page.
200 sq ft, 4 in deep: you need 2.47 cubic yards (bulk) (buy 2.59 with waste), about $64.75–$129.5 in materials. See how we calculate this →
Popular sizes
Topsoil cost
Bulk topsoil runs $25–$50 per cubic yard nationally; delivery and spreading add per-yard costs that vary by state.
topsoil cost by state →Frequently asked questions
How much topsoil do I need?
Multiply area by depth in feet for cubic feet, then divide by 27 for cubic yards. A 200 sq ft bed at 4 inches needs about 2.5 cubic yards.
How much topsoil for 1,000 square feet?
At 4 inches deep, 1,000 sq ft needs about 12.3 cubic yards; at 2 inches, about 6.2 cubic yards. Enter your exact area above — the calculator adds a 5% allowance for settling.
How many bags of topsoil in a cubic yard?
About 36 bags of the common 0.75 cubic foot (40 lb) bag per cubic yard.
Embed this calculator
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