Worked examples

Leveling a lawn before reseeding

A 30 ft × 20 ft lawn, 2 inches of topsoil, 10% extra.

4.07 yd³ · ≈ 5.09 US tons

Filling a raised vegetable bed

One bed 8 ft × 4 ft filled 12 inches deep, 5% extra.

1.24 yd³ · ≈ 1.56 US tons

A round flower bed

A circle 6 ft across with 6 inches of soil, no extra.

0.52 yd³ · ≈ 0.65 US tons

Good for

Top-dressing or leveling a lawn before seed or sod
Filling raised vegetable beds where root depth matters
Estimating screened topsoil vs cheaper fill for the planting layer only
Converting a supplier’s tons quote back into coverage depth

Common mistakes

Buying fill dirt when you needed screened topsoil for seed germination
Spreading only ½ inch on a new lawn and expecting deep roots
Ignoring settling — loose soil sinks after the first watering
Ordering for the whole yard footprint when only beds need soil

How much topsoil do I need?

Measure the area. Length × width in feet gives square feet; for a circle use π × (diameter ÷ 2)².
Choose a depth and convert it to feet by dividing inches by 12. A 4-inch layer is 0.333 ft.
Multiply area × depth to get cubic feet, then divide by 27 to get cubic yards.
Add 5–10% for settling and uneven ground.
If your supplier sells by the ton, multiply cubic yards by roughly 1.1–1.4 tons per yard.

Suppliers deliver by the cubic yard or by the ton. Ask which one you are quoted, because a ton of wet soil covers less ground than a ton of dry soil.

Topsoil coverage by depth

Cubic yards of topsoil needed to cover 100 square feet. Multiply by your area ÷ 100.

Depth	Cubic yards per 100 sq ft
1 in	0.31
2 in	0.62
3 in	0.93
4 in	1.23
6 in	1.85
8 in	2.47
12 in	3.70

Approximate weight per cubic yard

Typical values used by this calculator. Wet or screened soil can weigh more.

Material	US tons per cubic yard (typical range)	Value used here
Topsoil	1.1 – 1.4	1.25
Fill dirt	1.2 – 1.5	1.3
Sand	1.2 – 1.5	1.35
Mulch	0.3 – 0.6	0.45

Frequently asked questions

How deep should topsoil be?

Depth depends on the job. Thin layers of roughly 1–2 inches are commonly used to level or top-dress an existing lawn, while a new lawn is often put on 4–6 inches. Raised beds and vegetable gardens are usually filled 6–12 inches deep. Check the guidance for your plants or your local extension office.

How many square feet does one cubic yard of topsoil cover?

About 324 square feet at 1 inch deep, 162 at 2 inches, 108 at 3 inches and 81 at 4 inches. The formula is 324 ÷ depth in inches.

Is topsoil the same as fill dirt?

No. Topsoil is the organic-rich surface layer used for planting. Fill dirt is subsoil used to raise or level ground and is usually cheaper but poor for growing. If you are filling a deep hole, use fill dirt for the bottom and topsoil for the top few inches.

Should I order by the cubic yard or by the ton?

Either works, as long as you compare like with like. Convert with the weight estimate above, then ask the supplier for their own tons-per-yard figure for the soil you are buying.

Why add extra for settling?

Freshly spread soil is loose, and it compacts when watered and walked on. A modest extra allowance keeps the final level from sinking below where you wanted it.

Sources and updates

Last reviewed 2026-10-14.

NIST – Unit conversion factors – Length definitions used for unit conversion.
Topsoil density and depth guidance – Typical supplier ranges. Replace with named sources before launch.

Estimates for planning. Confirm quantities, delivery minimums and weights with your supplier.

Topsoil Calculator