How to use this calculator
- Area. Length and width of the area in feet.
- Depth. Lawn topdressing 1–2". Raised bed 6–12". Sod prep: 4".
- Bag size. Default 0.75 ft³ — most retail bags are this size.
Formula
Volume (yd³) = Length × Width × Depth ÷ 27
Worked example
A 10 × 4 × 1 ft raised bed = 40 ft³ = 1.48 cubic yards. That's about 53 bags of 0.75 ft³ topsoil or roughly 2 tons.
Common project sizes
Quick reference for the most common topsoil calculator use cases. Use these as a sanity check on your calculator inputs.
| Project | Dimensions | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Small raised bed (4×4×1 ft) | 16 ft³ | 0.6 yd³ · 22 bags (0.75 ft³) |
| Standard raised bed (4×8×1 ft) | 32 ft³ | 1.2 yd³ · 43 bags |
| Sod prep, small lawn (20×30 ft, 4" deep) | 200 ft² | 2.5 yd³ · 89 bags |
| Lawn topdressing (50×50 ft, ¼" deep) | 2,500 ft² | 2.0 yd³ · 71 bags |
2026 cost reference
Typical retail price range in the United States for topsoil. Local pricing varies by region, supplier, and grade — confirm with two or three quotes before ordering.
Per cubic yard
$20 – $60
Unscreened bulk topsoil is $20–$35/yd³. Screened or premium blends are $35–$60/yd³. Delivery adds $50–$150 depending on distance. Bagged retail is $3–$5 per 0.75 ft³ bag — equivalent to about $130–$220/yd³, only worth it for tiny jobs.
By the numbers — regional pricing
Snapshot of current US pricing for cubic yard (delivered, screened topsoil), broken down by Census region. Source: Landscape supply yards in 18 metros; delivery $40–$80 per trip.. Data as of April 2026; we refresh quarterly.
| Region | Low | High | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northeast | $28 | $48 | — |
| Midwest | $22 | $38 | — |
| South | $26 | $45 | — |
| West | $32 | $60 | Drought-zone soil amendments command premium pricing. |
How we calculate this
Assumptions baked in
Volume = Area × Depth ÷ 27 (yd³). Density assumed at 2,000 lb/yd³ for screened topsoil at typical moisture content (15–20%). Loose-pile topsoil from a stockpile compresses 25–30% when installed and watered — the calculator adds 25% to the displayed yardage for lawn beds, which is the rule-of-thumb from most state cooperative extension services.
Accuracy and margin of error
Density and moisture vary widely. Wet clay-loam topsoil from a delivery in March can weigh 2,400 lb/yd³; bagged dry topsoil weighs ~1,500 lb/yd³. Trust the delivery scale ticket over our weight estimate. Volume in cubic yards is the right unit to order in; the weight figure is for confirming truck capacity.
Edge cases this calculator does not handle
For a new lawn install: most extension services recommend 4–6" of screened topsoil over the existing subgrade for a permanent lawn (1" is the minimum to germinate but won't hold up). For raised beds: a 50/50 topsoil/compost mix is standard — run the calculator on the full volume and order half topsoil, half compost.
Cited sources for this page
The figures and rules above are anchored to the following normative references. We link the underlying claim to its standard — not as generic SEO trust signals, but so you can audit any number on this page against a primary source.
A 4-inch topsoil profile is the minimum recommended for sodded lawns to support deep-root development per the USDA NRCS Plant Materials Program.
Source: USDA NRCS — Soil Quality Indicators for Lawns and Gardens
Tips for accurate results
- A cubic yard of dry topsoil weighs about 2,000 lb (1 ton). Wet, it can reach 2,700 lb.
- For a raised bed, mix topsoil with compost (60/40) for best plant performance.
- Order 10% extra — topsoil compacts as soon as it's spread.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Using bagged topsoil for jobs over 1 yd³ — bulk is 3–4× cheaper per cubic yard.
- Filling raised beds with pure topsoil — it compacts and starves plants. Mix 60% topsoil + 40% compost.
- Forgetting that topsoil settles 10–20% after the first watering — order extra and topdress later.
- Skipping the soil test before buying — pH, drainage, and contamination problems are cheaper to fix before delivery.
When to consult a pro
Topsoil delivery is DIY-friendly: order, spread, water. Get a landscape contractor involved if your lot has drainage issues, you are regrading more than 6 inches over a large area (creates compaction problems), or the project includes retaining walls or any structural fill. A truck of topsoil dumped on a sloped lawn without proper grading turns into a rutted mess after two heavy rains.