Topsoil Calculator
Work out how much topsoil to order for a new lawn, raised bed or garden — in cubic yards, approximate tons or bags.
Quick answer
An 8 × 4 ft raised bed filled 12 inches deep needs 32 cubic feet — 1.19 cubic yards, or 43 bags of 0.75 cu ft. Lawns need 4–6 inches. Finish beds with 2–3 inches from the mulch calculator.
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- Updated October 2026
Cubic yards needed
2.47 yd³
- In cubic metres
- 1.89 m³
- Cubic feet
- 66.7 ft³
- 0.75 cu ft bags
- 89
- 1 cu ft bags
- 67
- 50 litre bags
- 38
- Approximate weightat ≈1.1 tons per yd³ (dry)
- 2.72 tons
Show the working
- 20 × 10 × (4 ÷ 12) = 66.67 ft³
- 66.67 ÷ 27 = 2.47 yd³
About the Topsoil calculator
Topsoil is sold by the cubic yard in bulk or in bags, commonly 0.75 or 1 cubic foot. Weight varies a lot with moisture: dry screened topsoil is often around 1 ton per cubic yard, wet soil much more, so the weight shown here is an approximation.
Typical depths: 4–6 inches under a new lawn, 6–12 inches or more to fill a raised bed, and about 1/4 inch for top-dressing an existing lawn. Soil settles after watering, so many people order around 10% extra.
How to use it
- Choose feet or metres.
- Enter the length and width of the area.
- Enter the depth of soil you want.
- Read cubic yards for bulk delivery, bags, or the approximate weight.
The formula
Cubic yards = Length (ft) × Width (ft) × Depth (in) ÷ 12 ÷ 27
- Approximate tons = cubic yards × about 1.1 for dry topsoil.
Worked example
An 8 × 4 ft raised bed, 12 inches deep
- 8 × 4 × 1 = 32 cubic feet.
- 32 ÷ 27 = 1.19 cubic yards.
- Or 43 bags of 0.75 cubic feet.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cubic yard of topsoil weigh?
Roughly 1 to 1.3 tons when dry, and more when wet. Ask your supplier — some sell by weight, some by volume.
How deep should topsoil be for a new lawn?
4–6 inches of good topsoil gives grass roots room to establish. Less than 2 inches tends to dry out quickly.
Should I mix topsoil with compost for raised beds?
Many gardeners use a mix such as about 60% topsoil and 40% compost. Calculate the total volume, then split it by the proportions you want.
Results are estimates for planning — check critical figures with a professional or the official source.
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