How to use the topsoil calculator calculator
- 1
Pick a shape
Choose the shape that matches each area: rectangle, square, circle, triangle, trapezoid, a border, or a known area. Add a section for each bed or lawn area.
- 2
Enter the measurements
Type the dimensions in the unit you select. For a raised bed, the length and width are the inside dimensions and the depth is the fill depth.
- 3
Set the soil depth
Enter how deep the soil will be and choose the depth unit. Most topsoil and bed fills are entered in inches.
- 4
Add bags or cost if needed
Enter a bag volume to see the bag count, and add your own bulk or bag prices to estimate and compare cost.
- 5
Review the result
Read the cubic yards, optional bags, and optional cost. Compare your entered pricing, delivery, and storage before deciding how to buy.
Formula
Cubic yards = square feet x depth (in) / 324
The number 324 is 27 cubic feet per cubic yard times 12 inches per foot. For bags, divide the cubic feet needed by the cubic feet printed on the bag and round up to whole bags.
Worked example
A rectangular garden bed measures 12 feet by 5 feet and will get 4 inches of topsoil.
- 1Find the area: 12 x 5 = 60 square feet.
- 2Apply the formula: 60 x 4 / 324 = 0.74 cubic yards.
- 3In cubic feet that is 60 x (4 / 12) = 20 cubic feet.
- 4With 1 cubic foot bags: 20 / 1 = 20 bags.
The bed needs about 0.74 cubic yards, or roughly 20 cubic feet of topsoil.
Worked examples
Raised-bed fill
A raised bed 8 feet by 4 feet, filled 10 inches deep.
- 1Area = 8 x 4 = 32 square feet.
- 232 x 10 / 324 = 0.99 cubic yards.
- 3In cubic feet: 32 x (10 / 12) = 26.67 cubic feet.
The raised bed needs about 0.99 cubic yards of fill.
Circular landscape bed
A 9 foot diameter bed, topped with 3 inches of soil.
- 1Circle area = 3.14159 x (9 / 2)^2 = 63.62 square feet.
- 263.62 x 3 / 324 = 0.59 cubic yards.
- 3In cubic feet: 63.62 x 0.25 = 15.9 cubic feet.
About 0.59 cubic yards, or roughly 15.9 cubic feet.
Two lawn sections
A 300 square foot area and a 180 square foot area, both 2 inches deep.
- 1Total area = 300 + 180 = 480 square feet.
- 2480 x 2 / 324 = 2.96 cubic yards.
- 3Add the areas before converting, not after rounding each.
The two sections together need about 2.96 cubic yards.
Bag conversion
A 100 square foot bed at 3 inches, using 1.5 cubic foot bags.
- 1Cubic feet = 100 x (3 / 12) = 25 cubic feet.
- 2Bags = 25 / 1.5 = 16.67 bags.
- 3Round up to 17 bags, because partial bags are not sold.
The bed needs 25 cubic feet, which is 17 of the 1.5 cubic foot bags.
How topsoil volume is calculated
Topsoil is sold by volume, so you need a depth as well as an area. Volume is area multiplied by thickness. The calculator finds the area of each shape, multiplies by the depth, and adds the sections together.
Dividing the cubic feet by 27 gives cubic yards, the unit most bulk suppliers use. You can also divide area times depth in inches by 324 to reach cubic yards directly, since 27 times 12 is 324.
How to measure lawn, garden, raised-bed, and landscape areas
Measure each area with the shape that fits:
- 1Lawn or rectangular bed: multiply length by width in feet.
- 2Raised bed: use the inside length and width, and the fill depth.
- 3Circle: multiply 3.14159 by the radius squared, where the radius is half the diameter.
- 4Irregular bed: split it into rectangles, circles, and triangles, then add the areas.
One cubic yard of topsoil coverage
A cubic yard of topsoil spreads further when it is thinner. At 1 inch deep it covers 324 square feet, at 3 inches it covers 108 square feet, and at 6 inches it covers 54 square feet.
Use the coverage table below to sanity check a bulk order. To work coverage out for any volume, the cubic yards to square feet calculator does it in one step.
Bulk topsoil versus bagged topsoil
Bulk topsoil is delivered or collected by the cubic yard, while bagged topsoil is sold in bags labeled by cubic foot volume. The same volume can be bought either way. Bags are easy to carry and store, while bulk can suit larger areas, but the right choice depends on access, storage, and the prices you are quoted.
Enter a bag size to see the bag count, and add prices to compare totals. Compare your entered material pricing, delivery options, storage space, and supplier requirements before deciding.
Multiple areas and irregular projects
For several beds or an odd shape:
- 1Add a section for each separate area.
- 2Pick the shape that best matches each one.
- 3Use the quantity field for several identical beds.
- 4The calculator adds every section into one total volume and bag count.
Waste allowance and uneven grade
Soil settles and beds are rarely perfectly level, so a small waste allowance helps you avoid running short. The calculator lets you set your own percentage rather than forcing one value.
Keep the unrounded figure while planning and round up only when you order. Confirm the final amount with your supplier.
Topsoil cost estimate
Cost depends on the prices you are quoted, so the calculator never assumes a price. Enter a bulk price per cubic yard, or a bag size with a price per bag, plus any delivery and fixed fees. When both are entered, the result shows each total and the arithmetic difference.
Prices vary by region, supplier, and soil product, so treat the estimate as a planning figure. For mulch beds in the same project, the mulch calculator and how much mulch do I need guide use the same method.
Moisture, mixing, and material variation
Topsoil products differ. Screened topsoil, garden soil, and soil blends vary in texture and organic matter, and moisture changes both weight and how the material settles once placed.
Because of this, the calculator works in volume, which is exact from your measurements, rather than assuming a weight. Confirm the product and any weight limits with your supplier when arranging delivery.
Common mistakes
A few errors cause most wrong topsoil estimates:
- Leaving out depth and treating square feet as a volume
- Using the outside dimensions of a raised bed instead of the inside
- Assuming a bag volume without checking the label
- Adding rounded per-bed figures instead of summing areas first
- Treating a calculator result as a final supplier order quantity
One Cubic Yard of Topsoil Coverage
Square feet that one cubic yard covers at each depth, from 324 divided by the depth in inches.
| Cubic yards | 1 in | 2 in | 3 in | 4 in | 6 in | 8 in | 12 in |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 324 sq ft | 162 sq ft | 108 sq ft | 81 sq ft | 54 sq ft | 40.5 sq ft | 27 sq ft |
Square Feet to Topsoil Cubic Yards by Depth
Cubic yards needed for each area and depth. Read your area on the left and depth across the top. Every value is square feet times depth in inches divided by 324.
| Area | 1 in | 2 in | 3 in | 4 in | 6 in | 8 in | 12 in |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 sq ft | 0.0772 | 0.154 | 0.231 | 0.309 | 0.463 | 0.617 | 0.926 |
| 50 sq ft | 0.154 | 0.309 | 0.463 | 0.617 | 0.926 | 1.23 | 1.85 |
| 100 sq ft | 0.309 | 0.617 | 0.926 | 1.23 | 1.85 | 2.47 | 3.7 |
| 150 sq ft | 0.463 | 0.926 | 1.39 | 1.85 | 2.78 | 3.7 | 5.56 |
| 200 sq ft | 0.617 | 1.23 | 1.85 | 2.47 | 3.7 | 4.94 | 7.41 |
| 300 sq ft | 0.926 | 1.85 | 2.78 | 3.7 | 5.56 | 7.41 | 11.11 |
| 500 sq ft | 1.54 | 3.09 | 4.63 | 6.17 | 9.26 | 12.35 | 18.52 |
| 750 sq ft | 2.31 | 4.63 | 6.94 | 9.26 | 13.89 | 18.52 | 27.78 |
| 1,000 sq ft | 3.09 | 6.17 | 9.26 | 12.35 | 18.52 | 24.69 | 37.04 |
| 1,500 sq ft | 4.63 | 9.26 | 13.89 | 18.52 | 27.78 | 37.04 | 55.56 |
Bags per Cubic Yard by Bag Volume
How many bags make one cubic yard, by the cubic feet per bag. Use the volume printed on the actual bag label. Product yield and material composition can vary.
| Bag volume | Bags per cubic yard | Whole bags for 1 cubic yard |
|---|---|---|
| 0.5 cu ft | 54 | 54 |
| 0.75 cu ft | 36 | 36 |
| 1 cu ft | 27 | 27 |
| 1.5 cu ft | 18 | 18 |
| 2 cu ft | 13.5 | 14 |
| 3 cu ft | 9 | 9 |
Frequently asked questions
- How much topsoil do I need?
- Measure each area, multiply by the soil depth, and divide square feet times depth in inches by 324 to get cubic yards. The calculator does this for one or many areas and can also show the bag count.
- How many cubic yards of topsoil for 1,000 square feet?
- It depends on depth. At 2 inches, 1,000 square feet needs about 6.17 cubic yards, and at 3 inches about 9.26 cubic yards. Use the table for other depths.
- How much topsoil for a raised bed?
- Multiply the inside length by the inside width by the fill depth. For an 8 by 4 foot bed filled 10 inches deep, that is about 0.99 cubic yards or 26.67 cubic feet.
- How many bags of topsoil are in a cubic yard?
- Divide 27 by the cubic feet on the bag. That is about 14 of the 2 cubic foot bags, 18 of the 1.5 cubic foot bags, or 27 of the 1 cubic foot bags. Check the label.
- How deep should topsoil be?
- Depth depends on the project, so there is no universal value. Use your project plan or local guidance, then enter that depth in the calculator.
- Should I buy bulk or bagged topsoil?
- It depends on the volume, your access and storage, and local prices. Enter both options to compare totals, and weigh delivery and handling alongside the cost.
- Can I estimate topsoil cost?
- Yes. Enter your own bulk price per cubic yard, or a bag size and price per bag, plus any delivery and fixed fees. The calculator uses only the prices you provide.
- Is a calculator result a final order amount?
- No. Treat it as a planning estimate. Confirm the product and available order quantities with your supplier before buying.
Topsoil volume uses the exact factors of 27 cubic feet per cubic yard and 324 square feet per cubic yard inch. Bag counts divide the required cubic feet by your entered bag volume and round up. Cost uses only prices you enter. Tables are generated by the shared calculation engine. See the YardCalc calculation methodology.
Results are planning estimates. Last reviewed 2026-06-25.