Topsoil Calculator
Calculate the volume and estimated weight of topsoil needed to cover an area to a given depth.
Adjust if your supplier lists a specific density for your topsoil blend.
Volume Needed
66.67 ft³
2.469 cubic yards
Estimated Weight
6,000 lb
How to Calculate How Much Topsoil You Need
This calculator finds the volume of topsoil needed to cover a rectangular area to a chosen depth, using Volume = Length × Width × Depth. It then estimates the total weight using a topsoil density you can adjust — loose topsoil typically weighs around 75-100 lb per cubic foot (roughly 1,200-1,600 kg per cubic meter) depending on moisture content and composition.
Example
A 20 ft × 10 ft garden bed filled 4 inches deep needs 20 × 10 × (4 ÷ 12) = 66.7 cubic feet of topsoil, which is about 2.47 cubic yards and weighs roughly 6,000 lb at a density of 90 lb/ft³. In metric units, a 5 m × 3 m bed filled to 10 cm deep needs 5 × 3 × 0.1 = 1.5 cubic meters, weighing about 2,160 kg at a density of 1,440 kg/m³.
Common Use Cases
- Estimating how much topsoil to order for a new garden bed or raised planter.
- Leveling low spots in a lawn before reseeding or laying sod.
- Planning delivery weight so you know what size load or how many bags are needed.
FAQs
Does topsoil density really vary that much?
Yes — dry, loose topsoil sits toward the lower end of the range while damp, compacted, or clay-heavy topsoil can weigh noticeably more. Adjust the density field above if your supplier gives you a specific figure for the soil blend you're buying.
How is this different from the Mulch or Gravel Calculator?
The same length × width × depth formula applies to any bulk landscaping material, but topsoil, mulch, and gravel each have very different densities, so this tool uses topsoil-specific defaults rather than the mulch or gravel figures used in those calculators.
Should I compact the soil after spreading it?
Lightly settling topsoil (with water or a light tamp) is common after spreading, which can reduce its volume by 10-20%. If you're filling to a precise finished depth, consider ordering slightly extra to account for settling.