Free Calculator
Topsoil Calculator — How Much Topsoil Do I Need?
Cubic yards and delivered cost for new lawns, beds, and grading.
3. Enter Dimensions
Your order summary lands here
As soon as the dimensions are valid, you will see the recommended quantity, truckload count, and the ZIP pricing step.
Use this calculator to size topsoil for a new lawn, garden bed, low-spot fill, or top-dressing. Topsoil is sold by the cubic yard. Florida ZIPs return a live delivered price.
How to use this topsoil calculator
- 1
Measure the area
Length × width in feet for rectangles. For curved beds, square off to the longest length and widest width — the extra material acts as a buffer.
- 2
Pick a depth
New lawns: 4–6 inches. Garden beds: 6–8 inches. Top dressing existing lawn: 1/4–1/2 inch (use Custom). Low-spot fill: as needed.
- 3
Enter your ZIP
Florida ZIPs return delivered pricing per cubic yard. Outside Florida the sizing still applies — request a quote for delivery.
How the math works
Volume in cubic yards equals Length × Width × Depth ÷ 27 (with depth converted from inches to feet by dividing by 12). One cubic yard equals 27 cubic feet.
Topsoil is sold loose. Once spread and watered, expect 10–20% settling — already factored into the calculator buffer for normal jobs.
For lawns, plan 4–6 inches of clean topsoil over compacted subgrade before laying sod or seeding. Thinner topsoil layers do not give roots enough to work with.
How much does topsoil cover?
Quick reference for how much area one ton and one cubic yard cover at common depths.
| Depth | 1 ton covers | 1 cubic yard covers |
|---|---|---|
| 1" | — sold by yard — | 324 sq ft |
| 2" | — sold by yard — | 162 sq ft |
| 3" | — sold by yard — | 108 sq ft |
| 4" | — sold by yard — | 81 sq ft |
| 6" | — sold by yard — | 54 sq ft |
| 12" | — sold by yard — | 27 sq ft |
Coverage is volume-based — one cubic yard always covers the same area at a given depth regardless of soil density.
Typical quantities by project
| Project | Depth | Area | Estimate |
|---|---|---|---|
| New lawn 1,000 sq ft | 4" | 1,000 sq ft | ~13 cubic yards |
| Raised bed 4 ft × 8 ft | 12" | 32 sq ft | ~1.2 cubic yards |
| Front yard regrade 500 sq ft | 3" | 500 sq ft | ~4.7 cubic yards |
| Top dressing 2,000 sq ft | 1/2" | 2,000 sq ft | ~3 cubic yards |
| Garden bed 200 sq ft | 8" | 200 sq ft | ~5 cubic yards |
Common ordering mistakes
From real deliveries, these are the mistakes we see most often. Avoiding any one of them saves a callback order.
Topsoil too shallow
A 1-inch layer over compacted clay fails. Roots cannot establish. Plan 4–6 inches for new lawns, more for beds.
Skipping the subgrade prep
Topsoil on top of compacted construction subsoil drains poorly. Loosen the top 4 inches of subgrade before spreading topsoil.
Wrong soil type
Florida "screened topsoil" is mostly sand. For vegetable gardens you want a garden soil mix with compost — see related calculators.
Buying bagged for big jobs
Bagged topsoil at a hardware store costs 5–7× more per yard than bulk delivery. For anything over a yard, bulk wins.
Forgetting settlement
Topsoil settles 10–20% in the first month after watering. Order to your finished grade, not the freshly dumped pile.
Frequently asked questions
Ready to see delivered pricing?
Jump back to the calculator to price the exact quantity for your ZIP, or request a manual quote if the project needs special handling.