Topsoil Calculator Online & Free Tool

When planning your lawn, garden, landscaping or raised garden bed topsoil requirements, it is essential to know exactly how much you will need. Ordering insufficient amounts can cause issues, but ordering too much can cause you to pay more for your material. Our Topsoil Calculator will help you work out how much topsoil you will need based on the length, width and depth.

Topsoil refers to the top layer of soil containing organic matter, minerals, micro-organism and nutrients that can help plants grow. It is often used to create a new lawn, repair patchy areas, fill garden beds and improve your landscaping.

Our free Topsoil Calculator has been designed to quickly calculate how much soil you will need in cubic feet, cubic yards and other common measurements. Whether you are a homeowner, gardener, landscaper or contractor in the USA, you can use our tool to help plan your project.

No more working out by hand, simply enter your dimensions and the depth of soil you would like.

How to Use the Topsoil Calculator

To use the Topsoil Calculator follow the steps below.

Step 1: Enter the Length of Area

Measure how long your area is you would like to spread your topsoil over. Enter your measurement in feet, yards or other available measurement.

Step 2: Enter the Width of Area

Measure how wide your project area is and enter into the calculator.

Step 3: Enter the Depth of Soil

Select the depth of soil you would like. For example, you may require 2 inches of topsoil for your lawn or 6 inches for new planting areas.

Step 4: Choose Your Measurements

Ensure you choose the correct measurements for your length, width and depth.

Step 5: Calculate Topsoil Requirements

Click calculate to find out how much topsoil you will need.

Step 6: View Results

View how much topsoil you will need in cubic feet and cubic yards. This information will help you compare prices from your suppliers.

Topsoil Calculator Formula

We use a simple formula to work out how much topsoil you will need.

Simple Formula:

Topsoil = Length x Width x Depth

If your length and widths are in feet then your depth needs to be converted to feet.

Cubic Yards:

Cubic Yards = Cubic Feet / 27

As there are 27 cubic feet in a cubic yard.

Inches to Feet:

Feet = Inches / 12

Full Formula:

Topsoil (Cubic Yards) = (Length (Feet) x Width (Feet) x Depth (Inches)) / 324

For example if your garden is 20ft long, 15ft wide and you require 4 inches of topsoil:

Topsoil = (20 x 15 x 4) / 324

Topsoil = 3.70 Cubic Yards

Example

Let us look at an example of how to calculate topsoil requirements for a residential lawn project within the USA.

You may wish to add a fresh layer of topsoil to your backyard prior to planting your grass.

Measurements:

Length = 40ft

Width = 30ft

Depth = 4 inches

Step 1: Work out Area

Area = Length x Width

Area = 40 x 30

Area = 1200 Square Feet

Step 2: Convert Depth

Depth = 4 / 12

Depth = 0.3333 Feet

Step 3: Work out Topsoil

Volume = 40 x 30 x 0.3333

Volume = 400 Cubic Feet

Step 4: Convert Cubic Feet

Cubic Yards = 400 / 27

Cubic Yards = 14.81 Cubic Yards

Answer

Project Area = 1200 Square Feet

Depth = 4 Inches

Topsoil Required = 400 Cubic Feet

Topsoil Required = 14.81 Cubic Yards

This means you would need approximately 14.81 cubic yards of topsoil to cover your backyard with 4 inches of topsoil. This assumes your area is flat.

Understanding Your Results

Once you have used the Topsoil Calculator you will receive your results in different volumes. Understanding what they mean will help you order the correct amount.

1. Project Area

This tells you how large your project area is. To work this out we multiply your length by your width.

2. Depth

This tells you how thick your topsoil layer will be. This is usually measured in inches for residential landscaping projects.

3. Volume in Cubic Feet

This tells you the total volume of soil you will need in cubic feet.

4. Volume in Cubic Yards

Cubic yards are commonly used by landscapers and bulk soil delivery companies within the USA.

Reference:

1 Cubic Yard = 27 Cubic Feet

1 Cubic Yard = 46656 Cubic Inches

1 Cubic Foot = 0.03704 Cubic Yards

5. How much to Purchase

Your final volume will help you to decide how much to purchase. If you have uneven ground you may want to allow for a small amount of extra.

Factors to Consider

There are several factors to consider when working out how much topsoil you will need.

1. Project Area Size

The larger your project area the more topsoil you will need. Ensure you measure your length and widths accurately.

2. Depth of Soil

The depth of soil will directly affect how much you require. For example if you double your depth from 2 inches to 4 inches you will need double the amount.

3. Ground Conditions

If the ground is uneven, has dips or slopes you may need extra topsoil.

4. Settling

Topsoil can sometimes settle once it has been laid, watered and compacted naturally.

5. Soil Type

Topsoil can vary in texture, water content, organic content and overall type.

6. Project Shape

The formula uses length x width so will only work for rectangular areas. If your garden or lawn is irregularly shaped then split it up into smaller rectangles.

Advantages of Using the Topsoil Calculator

There are several advantages to using a Topsoil Calculator.

1. Accurate Material Requirements

Helps you to calculate how much topsoil you will need to purchase. This reduces the risk of buying too much or too little.

2. Saves Time

Working out the volumes can be confusing. This calculator makes it easy.

3. Helps With Budgeting

Knowing how much you need will help you to work out how much you will spend on materials. You can use this to compare prices between suppliers.

4. Lawn Installation or Repair

Homeowners can use this to work out how much topsoil they need when laying a new lawn, repairing patches or preparing soil for grass seed.

5. Garden Beds

Gardeners can use this to work out how much soil will be needed to fill new planting areas, improve existing areas and prepare for planting flowers and vegetables.

6. Landscaping

Landscaping contractors can use this to work out how much soil will be needed for residential and commercial properties.

7. Raised Garden Beds

Helps you work out how much soil will be needed to fill your raised beds.

8. Contractors

Contractors can use this to work out how much topsoil they will need to prepare sites, repair lawns and other projects.

Accuracy

The calculator provides you with an estimate based on the measurements and depth you enter. Accuracy will depend on the quality of your measurements.

Assumptions & Limitations

• The simple formula assumes you have a rectangular area with even depth.
• Ensure your length, width and depth are in the same measurements.
• If your area is irregularly shaped then split it up into smaller areas.
• If your area is sloped or uneven you may need extra.
• Topsoil can settle once it has been laid.

This does not automatically allow for minimum delivery requirements, supplier prices or delivery costs.

The soil may vary in volume depending on the water content, type and how the supplier measures bulk material.

If your project has uneven surfaces or you expect the soil to settle then it may be useful to allow for a little extra. This will depend on the conditions of your project.

To get the best results make sure you measure your project area accurately and check the recommended depth of soil for your landscaping/gardening project. If you are ordering bulk topsoil check with your supplier how they measure their product and what their delivery policy is.

FAQs

1. How Much Topsoil Do I Need for My Lawn?

This will depend on how big your lawn is and how deep you would like your soil to be. Measure the length and width of your lawn, choose your desired depth and enter into the calculator to see how much you will need in cubic yards.

2. How Many Cubic Yards are in a Cubic Foot?

There are approximately 0.03704 cubic yards in a cubic foot. There are 27 cubic feet in a cubic yard. This will help you compare how much soil you will need from your landscapers.

3. How Deep Should Topsoil Be for a New Lawn?

This will depend on the current soil conditions, grass type and how you are preparing the area. Some lawn projects may only require a few inches of good quality topsoil, whereas others may require more to create a deeper planting area. Check with your local landscapers for recommendations and what your grass will require.

4. How to Calculate Topsoil for Raised Garden Beds?

Calculate the volume by multiplying the length, width and depth of your raised bed. Ensure you convert all measurements to the same measurement. Divide cubic feet by 27 to get your answer in cubic yards. For example if your bed is 4ft long, 2ft wide and you are filling to a depth of 1ft you will need 8 cubic feet of growing media.

5. Should I Order Extra Topsoil?

If you have uneven ground, dips or expect your soil to settle then it may be useful to order a little extra. This will depend on your project. Do not just add an extra percentage.