Calculate topsoil for lawns, raised beds and grading jobs in cubic yards, tons and 40 lb bags.
Quick answer: Topsoil is sold by the cubic yard, and a yard weighs roughly 1.1 tons, lighter than gravel or sand. A 500 sq ft lawn top-dressed 1 inch deep is 500 × 0.083 = 42 cubic feet, or 1.5 cubic yards and about 1.7 tons, which is roughly 56 bags of 40 lb soil.
ft
ft
in
Typical depth for topsoil: 6 in.
%
$
Delivered bulk prices vary widely by region and haul distance — call two suppliers.
Volume needed
3.89 cu yd
105.0 cu ft · 2.97 m³
Weight
4.28 tons
8,560 lb — check your vehicle or delivery limits
How to buy it
Bulk (delivered)3.89 cu yd — $136
Bags (40 lb bags)140 bags
Area covered200 sq ft at 6.0 in deep
A cubic yard covers 324 sq ft at 1 in deep, so a quick check is: sq ft ÷ 324 × depth in inches = cubic yards. Ask the yard whether they sell by volume or by weight — wet material weighs more but covers the same.
Screened topsoil is typically about 1.1 short tons per cubic yard. Bulk delivery is almost always cheaper than bags once you pass about one cubic yard.
Core facts
Weight per cubic yard
about 1.1 tons, dry
Bag size
40 lb bags hold roughly 0.75 cu ft
Lawn top dressing
1/4–1/2 in per application
New garden bed
6–12 in of soil, typical
What is Topsoil Calculator?
Topsoil is the dark upper layer of soil where most roots and soil life live. It is sold screened, unscreened, or blended with compost, and priced by the cubic yard. Density runs around 1.1 tons per cubic yard when dry, noticeably lighter than sand or gravel, which matters if you are buying by weight or hauling it yourself. The depth you need depends on the job: a quarter inch to half an inch for top dressing a lawn, two to four inches to renovate bare patches, and six to twelve inches to fill a raised bed. Screened soil costs more but avoids rocks and clods.
Common uses for Topsoil Calculator
Order soil for a new raised vegetable bed
Top dress a lawn to level small dips and thin patches
Fill and grade a bare area before seeding
Estimate soil for backfilling around new trees and shrubs
Convert a yard measurement into 40 lb bags for a car trip
Volume is simple, depth is the decision
Topsoil estimates follow the same shape as gravel or mulch: area times depth. What changes is the depth you should choose, which depends entirely on the job. Leveling a dip takes under an inch over a small area, while filling a raised bed takes six to twelve inches across its whole footprint. Work out the depth first and the volume follows from it.
Bulk, bags and the weight problem
Bulk topsoil is delivered by the yard and is dramatically cheaper per cubic foot, but a yard weighs over a ton and has to be moved. Bagged soil is heavy too, yet it comes in manageable 40 lb units, which suits filling a few raised beds or patching a lawn. Between roughly half a yard and two yards, the choice comes down to access and your back.
Soil quality changes the result
Two loads of topsoil can look identical and behave completely differently. Screened loam with a good mix of sand, silt and organic matter drains well and supports roots. Heavy clay holds water and bakes hard, while sandy soil dries out fast. Ask to see the pile or a sample before ordering a large volume, and plan to amend whatever you buy.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a yard of topsoil weigh?
About 1.1 tons when dry, so roughly 2,200 lb. Wet soil is much heavier, and unscreened soil with a lot of clay or gravel can exceed that. This matters when you choose between delivery and collecting it yourself, because half a yard of damp topsoil can exceed the payload of a small pickup.
How deep should topsoil be for a new lawn?
Four to six inches of good soil is the usual target for seeding or sodding, on top of whatever subsoil is already there. If you are improving an existing lawn instead, a quarter inch to half an inch of top dressing at a time is plenty, and you can repeat it in later seasons.
How many bags of topsoil are in a cubic yard?
About 36 bags if they are 40 lb bags holding roughly 0.75 cubic feet each, though bagged volumes vary by brand and by how damp the soil is. Bagged soil is convenient for small jobs and raised beds near the house, but a cubic yard in bulk costs far less per cubic foot.
Is screened or unscreened topsoil better?
Screened soil has been passed through a mesh to remove rocks, roots and clods, so it spreads easily and is worth the premium for lawns, beds and anything you will plant into directly. Unscreened soil is cheaper and fine for filling a large area that will be graded and amended anyway.
Should I mix compost into new topsoil?
For beds, yes. Blending two or three inches of compost into the top six inches of soil improves drainage and nutrient holding far more than adding more plain soil. For simple grading or filling dips, plain topsoil is enough. Never backfill a planting hole with rich compost alone, because roots then struggle to leave it.