Topsoil Calculator
Multiply length × width × depth in feet and divide by 27 for cubic yards. A new 1,000 sq ft lawn with 4 inches of topsoil takes 12.3 cubic yards, about 13.3 to 13.8 tons.
Updated October 15, 2026 · How we calculate
Worked example
A 20 × 30 ft area for new lawn, 4 inches of topsoil:
- Area: 20 × 30 = 600 square feet
- Depth in feet: 4 ÷ 12 = 0.3333 ft
- Volume: 600 × 0.3333 = 200 cubic feet
- Cubic yards: 200 ÷ 27 = 7.407 cu yd
- Weight: 7.407 × 2,160 to 2,242 lb ÷ 2,000 = 8 to 8.3 tons
- Bags: 200 ÷ 0.75 = 267 0.75 cu ft bags
Source: Caltrans Maintenance Manual, Appendix (2014); USDA NRCS, Soil Quality Indicators: Bulk Density
How to choose and how deep
New lawn
Grass needs at least 4 inches of soil, and 6 inches or more is better. Those depths are after the soil has been firmed, so spread a little more than the finished depth.
Source: New Mexico State University, Guide H-509
Raised beds
A raised bed should be at least 6 to 8 inches deep. If the bed sits on loosened ground, the soil below counts toward the root zone too.
Source: Kansas State University, MF2134 Raised Bed Gardening (2022)
Weight
Dry topsoil weighs 2,160 to 2,242 lb per cubic yard. Soil sold by the ton is often damp, so ask your supplier how they measure.
Source: Caltrans Maintenance Manual, Appendix (2014); USDA NRCS, Soil Quality Indicators: Bulk Density
Quick reference
| Soil | Lb per cubic yard | Tons per cubic yard | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Topsoil (dry) | 2,160 to 2,242 | 1.08 to 1.12 | Caltrans Maintenance Manual, Appendix (2014); USDA NRCS, Soil Quality Indicators: Bulk Density |
| Depth | One cubic yard covers |
|---|---|
| 2 in | 162 sq ft |
| 4 in | 81 sq ft |
| 6 in | 54 sq ft |
| 8 in | 41 sq ft |
Questions people ask
How much topsoil do I need for 1,000 square feet?
12.3 cubic yards at 4 inches deep and 18.5 at 6 inches. Purdue Extension rounds the 6-inch figure to about 19 yards.
Source: Purdue Extension, AY-28-W
How deep should topsoil be for a new lawn?
At least 4 inches, and 6 inches or more is better, measured after the soil is firmed.
Source: New Mexico State University, Guide H-509
How much does a cubic yard of topsoil weigh?
Dry soil weighs about 2,160 to 2,242 pounds per cubic yard, roughly a ton. Wet soil weighs noticeably more.
Source: Caltrans Maintenance Manual, Appendix (2014); USDA NRCS, Soil Quality Indicators: Bulk Density
How many bags of topsoil make a cubic yard?
36 bags of 0.75 cubic feet, since a cubic yard is 27 cubic feet.