Topsoil Calculator — Cubic Yards & Tons
Find how much topsoil you need in cubic yards and tons from the area and the depth you want to add.
Calculator
A 6.0 in layer over 500 sq ft is about 9.26 cu yd of topsoil (~10.2 tons). Screened topsoil settles, so order a little extra. Density is a labeled typical — confirm with your supplier.
Topsoil is the workhorse of a yard project: you spread it to build new beds, raise a low spot, level a lawn before seeding, or backfill after grading. Because it goes down as an even layer, the amount you need is the same area×depth geometry as any other bulk material — this tool converts your measurements into cubic yards and then into an approximate weight in tons, since screened topsoil is often sold by the ton.
Once you have the topsoil down, the compost calculator helps you blend in organic matter, and the grass-seed calculator tells you how much seed the new surface needs.
Formula
Topsoil volume is area times depth, converted to cubic yards, then weighed at a typical density:
cubic yards = area (sq ft) × depth (in) ÷ 324
tons ≈ cubic yards × 1.1
The 324 constant is 27 cu ft per cubic yard times 12 in per foot. Screened topsoil weighs roughly 1.1 tons per cubic yard when moist, but wet or heavy soil weighs more — the density is a labeled typical, so confirm the weight with your supplier before you order by the ton.
Worked example
To raise 500 sq ft by 6 in:
- Volume:
500 × 6 ÷ 324 = 9.26 cu yd - Weight:
9.26 × 1.1 = 10.2 tons
So the job takes about 9.26 cubic yards of topsoil, roughly 10.2 tons.
Ordering topsoil
Topsoil planning tips:
- It settles. Fresh, fluffy topsoil compacts as it is watered and walked on, so order a little extra if the final grade matters.
- Screened vs. unscreened. Screened topsoil is cleaner and flows evenly; unscreened is cheaper but full of clumps and roots. Weight and coverage differ, so ask what you are buying.
- Do not bury the crown. When leveling around existing plants or trees, keep added soil thin over the root zone — a deep layer suffocates roots.
- Bulk beats bags. Topsoil is heavy and cheap per yard, so a bulk delivery almost always beats bags for anything larger than a planter. Price it with the bulk-material cost calculator.
Reference table
Cubic yards of material by area and depth (cu yd = area × depth ÷ 324). Bulk materials are usually sold by the cubic yard or ton, so round up and buy about 5–10% extra.
| Depth | 100 sq ft | 300 sq ft | 500 sq ft | 1,000 sq ft |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 in | 0.31 cu yd | 0.93 cu yd | 1.54 cu yd | 3.09 cu yd |
| 2 in | 0.62 cu yd | 1.85 cu yd | 3.09 cu yd | 6.17 cu yd |
| 3 in | 0.93 cu yd | 2.78 cu yd | 4.63 cu yd | 9.26 cu yd |
| 4 in | 1.23 cu yd | 3.70 cu yd | 6.17 cu yd | 12.35 cu yd |
| 6 in | 1.85 cu yd | 5.56 cu yd | 9.26 cu yd | 18.52 cu yd |
See the full breakdown, including bags per cubic yard, on the material-coverage table.
Frequently asked questions
How many cubic yards of topsoil do I need?
500 × 6 ÷ 324 = 9.26 cubic yards.