How Much Topsoil Do I Need?
Topsoil is sold by the cubic yard or the bag. A 10×10 ft bed topped with 4 in of topsoil needs about 1.2 cubic yards, or roughly 1.7 tons. Use the Topsoil Calculator for your exact area and depth.
Ready to run the numbers? Use our Topsoil Calculator or the Mulch Calculator to get an instant material estimate.
Measure the area
For a rectangular bed or lawn area, multiply length × width in feet. For irregular shapes, break the area into rectangles and triangles, measure each, and add them. A tape measure and a quick sketch keep the total honest.
Pick the right depth
- 1–2 in — topdressing an existing lawn to level small dips.
- 3–4 in — establishing a new garden or shrub bed.
- 6 in or more — raised beds and new lawn installations on poor soil.
- Order a little extra — topsoil settles and compacts after spreading.
Convert to cubic yards and tons
Topsoil volume is area × depth. Convert cubic feet to cubic yards by dividing by 27, or use the shortcut: area (ft²) × depth (in) ÷ 324 = cubic yards. Multiply yards by about 1.35 for tons (topsoil is heavier when damp).
Source: 1 cubic yard = 27 ft³. Area × depth ÷ 324 gives yards directly. Topsoil ≈ 1.35 tons/yd³.
A 10×10 ft bed (100 ft²) at 4 in deep: 100 × 4 ÷ 324 = 1.23 yd³. With 10% waste: 1.36 yd³ × 1.35 = 1.84 tons.
Bags vs. bulk delivery
- Bagged topsoil is about 1–1.5 cu ft per bag — roughly 18–27 bags per yard.
- Bulk by the yard is cheaper once you need more than about 15 bags.
- Bulk deliveries often have a 2–3 yard minimum — split an order with a neighbor.
- Ask for screened topsoil (no debris) for beds; use unscreened for fill and grading.
Frequently asked questions
How much topsoil do I need for a 10×10 bed?
A 10×10 ft bed at 4 in deep needs about 1.23 cubic yards, or roughly 1.7 tons with a 10% allowance. That is about 22 bags of 1.5 cu ft topsoil.
How many bags of topsoil equal a cubic yard?
One cubic yard is 27 cubic feet, so it takes 18 bags of 1.5 cu ft topsoil or 27 bags of 1 cu ft topsoil to make a yard.
How deep should topsoil be for a new garden bed?
3–4 in for a new shrub or garden bed, and 6 in or more for raised beds or a new lawn on poor soil. Add a little extra to account for settling.
Calculators for this guide
Put these numbers to work with the free calculators referenced above.