How to calculate topsoil
Dividing by 324 is a shortcut: it combines converting inches to feet (÷12) and cubic feet to cubic yards (÷27).
Worked example
A new lawn area of 20 × 10 ft with 4 in of topsoil: 20 × 10 × 4 ÷ 324 = 2.47 cubic yards, about 2.6 tons. Add 10% for settling and you would order 2.75 yards.
How much topsoil do I need? Depth guide
| Project | Recommended depth |
|---|---|
| Top dressing an existing lawn | ¼–½ in |
| Filling low spots and ruts | Depth of the hollow, in layers of 2 in or less |
| New lawn from seed or sod | 4–6 in |
| Flower beds | 8–12 in |
| Vegetable garden | 12 in |
How much does topsoil weigh?
Dry screened topsoil weighs roughly 1,900–2,200 lb per cubic yard, about 1 ton. Wet topsoil can weigh 2,600 lb or more. That matters if you are hauling it yourself: a half-ton pickup can safely carry about half a cubic yard of topsoil.
Tips
- Topsoil settles by 10–20% after watering, so order a little extra or plan a second top-up.
- Ask whether the soil is screened. Screened topsoil has had stones, roots and clods removed and is much easier to spread.
- For garden beds, many people mix topsoil with compost at roughly 70/30.
Frequently asked questions
How many square feet does a yard of topsoil cover?
One cubic yard covers about 324 sq ft at 1 in, 162 sq ft at 2 in, 81 sq ft at 4 in and 54 sq ft at 6 in deep.
How many bags of topsoil make a yard?
A cubic yard is 27 cubic feet, so it takes 36 bags of 0.75 cubic feet or 27 bags of 1 cubic foot.
How much topsoil do I need for a new lawn?
Plan on 4–6 in. For 1,000 sq ft at 4 in deep, you need about 12.3 cubic yards.
Is a yard of topsoil a ton?
Roughly. Dry topsoil weighs about 2,000–2,200 lb per cubic yard, so one yard is close to one ton. Wet soil is heavier.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14. Material weights are typical industry averages and vary by supplier, moisture and compaction.