1
Measure the surface
Use length and width for a rectangular area, diameter for a circle, or enter a known total area.
Free topsoil planning tool
Topsoil Calculator
Calculate how much topsoil you need in cubic yards, cubic metres, bags and estimated weight. Use it for lawns, garden beds, raised beds and landscaping projects.
No signup
US & metric
Instant results
Enter your project measurements
Results update after you select Calculate.
Recommended order quantity
6 cubic yards
Calculated need: 5.87 yd³ including a 10% allowance. Rounded up to the nearest 0.5 yd³.
5.87 yd³Cubic yards
4.49 m³Cubic metres
158.4 ft³Cubic feet
4,485 LLitres
Surface area432 ft²
Depth4 in
Allowance10%
The recommended order amount is rounded upward. Suppliers may use different minimum quantities and increments.
Estimated US tons6.92 tons
Estimated tonnes6.28 t
Estimated pounds13,845 lb
Based on an estimated density of 1,400 kg/m³. Actual weight varies with moisture, material and compaction.
Estimated bags113 bags
Selected bag size40 litres
Total bag volume4,520 L
Bag counts are always rounded up to whole bags. Check the usable volume printed on the product packaging.
Bulk estimate$0.00
Bagged estimate$0.00
Difference$0.00
These estimates use the local prices you enter. Delivery is included in both totals for a like-for-like comparison.
Planning a large or irregular project? Break it into simple sections, calculate each section, then add the quantities together.
View related calculatorsThree practical steps
How to use the topsoil calculator
The calculator turns surface measurements and soil depth into a volume, then adds your chosen allowance and converts the result into buying units.
2
Choose the soil depth
Enter the finished depth required for the project. A thin lawn top dressing needs far less soil than a new bed.
3
Check the buying format
Use cubic yards or metres for bulk orders, or enter the exact package size to calculate a whole number of bags.
Project planning
Common topsoil depth examples
These are broad planning ranges, not universal specifications. Soil condition, drainage, plant type and the existing base can change the appropriate depth.
| Project | Typical planning depth | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Light lawn top dressing | ¼–½ in / 0.5–1.25 cm | Grass should remain visible after spreading. |
| Lawn levelling | ½–2 in / 1.25–5 cm | Deep low spots may need staged applications. |
| New lawn preparation | 3–6 in / 7.5–15 cm | Assess the existing subsoil and drainage first. |
| Garden bed improvement | 6–12 in / 15–30 cm | Consider mixing topsoil with compost or amendments. |
| Raised bed filling | Use internal bed depth | Account for logs, drainage layers or existing fill. |
Transparent calculation
How the topsoil formula works
The engine first normalizes all measurements into metres, calculates the base volume, applies the extra allowance, and then converts the final volume into the units shown in your result.
Area × Depth × (1 + Allowance ÷ 100) = Topsoil VolumeFor circles, area is calculated as π × radius². Order recommendations are rounded upward to the selected supplier increment.Frequently asked questions
Topsoil calculator questions
Multiply the surface area by the desired depth, convert the result into cubic yards or cubic metres, and add an allowance for settling and measurement differences. This calculator performs those steps automatically.
There is no single fixed weight because moisture, organic content, particle size and compaction vary. Use the calculator's dry, typical or moist density setting as an estimate, then confirm transport limits with the supplier.
Usually, yes. Bulk suppliers often sell in set increments and bags must be bought whole. The calculator separates the mathematical volume from a rounded order recommendation so you can see both.
The geometric volume calculation is similar, but weight, settling and recommended depth differ by material. Dedicated compost and mulch calculators will be added separately to preserve accurate guidance.