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.
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.