Topsoil Calculator
Work out exactly how many cubic yards or bags of topsoil an area needs, with an editable allowance for settling after watering and compaction. Add your own price for a full cost estimate — nothing here uses a stale national average.
How this calculator works
The calculator converts area and depth into a volume, adds the settling allowance so the final depth holds up after watering and compaction, then converts to cubic yards or bags:
volume_cuft = area_sqft × (depth_in / 12) volume_with_settling = volume_cuft × (1 + settling_allowance%) cubic_yards = volume_with_settling / 27 bags = ceil(volume_with_settling / bag_size_cuft)
The settling allowance is applied before converting to purchase units, so both the cubic yard figure and the bag count already include the extra material needed to end up at your target depth once the soil has settled.
Worked example
A 20 ft × 15 ft bed, 4 in deep, with a 15% settling allowance:
- Area: 20 × 15 = 300 sq ft.
- Volume: 300 × (4 ÷ 12) = 100 cu ft.
- With settling: 100 × 1.15 = 115 cu ft.
- Cubic yards: 115 ÷ 27 ≈ 4.26 cu yd.
- Bags at 0.75 cu ft each: ceil(115 ÷ 0.75) = 154 bags.
At $45 per cubic yard, that's roughly $192 delivered in bulk — versus 154 bags at $4.50 each, or roughly$693, which is a good illustration of why bulk delivery wins once a job passes a couple of cubic yards.
Measuring your area
- Area — add one entry per roughly rectangular section; break irregular beds into a few rectangles.
- Depth — measure from the existing grade to your target finished depth, not the total bed depth if there's already soil in place.
- Settling — keep the default 15% unless you have reason to expect more (loose, fluffy topsoil) or less (already well-compacted delivery).
How much does topsoil cost?
Rather than quoting a national average that's stale the day it's published, this calculator prices the job from what you actually enter. Choose Cubic yards for bulk delivery orBags for a store run, and give the matching price — the total is calculated straight through. The estimate doesn't include delivery fees or spreading labor.
Frequently asked questions
Topsoil vs garden soil vs compost — what's the difference?
Topsoil is mineral-based fill soil, often low in organic matter on its own. Garden soil is topsoil already blended with compost, ready to plant into. Compost is fully decomposed organic matter used as an amendment mixed into topsoil, not usually used alone as fill.
How much does topsoil settle after it's laid?
Typically 10 to 20% after watering and natural compaction, which is why this calculator's settling allowance defaults to 15%. Heavy watering, rain and foot traffic speed up the initial settling.
What depth do I need for a new lawn vs a raised bed?
Regrading before seeding or sod typically calls for about 4 to 6 inches. Raised beds need considerably more — commonly 8 to 12 inches for shallow-rooted vegetables, and 12 to 18 inches or more for deep-rooted crops.
Bags vs bulk delivery — when is each worth it?
Bags suit small projects, roughly under 1 to 2 cubic yards. Beyond about 2 to 3 cubic yards, bulk delivery is typically cheaper per yard and far less physical labor — though it needs truck access and space for a dumped pile.