Estimate soil volume, raised bed fill, lawn coverage, bags, trucks, and cost.
Topsoil volume calculator
Enter your area and depth to estimate how much topsoil you need.
Area & depth
Bag size (optional)
Common bag sizes include 25 L, 40 L, or 50 L. Leave blank if you do not need bag count.
Results
Enter length, width, and depth to see the volume of topsoil required.
Basic Area (Single-Area Topsoil Volume) — Quick Tips
The Basic Area tab helps you calculate topsoil for one rectangular section. Use it when working with a single lawn patch, garden bed, or landscaping area.
- Measure length, width, and depth as accurately as possible for precise soil volume.
- Depth is critical — even small changes (½–1 inch) can dramatically change total cubic yards.
- Convert units before entering if the area was measured in mixed units.
- Avoid entering depth as feet unless the fill is extremely deep; use inches for accuracy.
- Use the Bag Size option only if you need bag quantities; otherwise, leave it blank.
- If the total seems too high, recheck whether you accidentally entered feet instead of inches.
- For fresh lawns, recommended depth is 2–3 inches of topsoil; for raised beds, use 6–12 inches.
Topsoil Calculator — A Complete Guide to Soil Volume, Depth & Coverage
Everything you need to know about accurate soil measurement
Accurate topsoil measurement is one of the most important steps in gardening, landscaping, lawn building, and raised bed projects. A small mistake can leave you short of soil or force you to order more than you need. A reliable topsoil calculator removes guesswork and gives you the correct volume in cubic yards, cubic feet, cubic meters, bags, or truckloads.
This guide breaks down everything you need to know: soil depth, coverage charts, multi-area projects, raised beds, trucks, bags, compost mixes, waste factor, and cost estimation.
Key Benefits of Using a Topsoil Calculator
- Precise volume for lawns, gardens, raised beds, and landscaping
- Helps avoid under-ordering or paying for extra soil
- Supports all units: ft, in, m, cm, yd³, ft³, m³
- Converts directly into bags or truckloads
- Handles multiple shapes and areas in one calculation
What Is Topsoil?
Topsoil is the uppermost layer of soil, usually the top 5 to 10 inches. It contains organic matter, nutrients, microorganisms, and minerals that support plant life. It is the most important layer for lawns, vegetables, flowers, and shrubs. For a detailed comparison, read our guide on Topsoil vs Fill Dirt.
Healthy topsoil holds moisture but still drains well. It supports root growth, regulates temperature, and fuels microbial activity.
Key Benefits of Quality Topsoil
- Better nutrient retention for plant growth
- Improved water drainage
- Stronger root support
- Higher microbial activity for soil health
Why Measuring Topsoil Correctly Matters
Even small errors in topsoil depth or area calculation can change your soil requirement drastically. A 1-inch miscalculation can add hundreds of dollars in cost for large lawns or landscaping areas.
If depth is wrong, plants either sit too shallow (drying quickly) or too deep (risking rot). If coverage is inconsistent, lawn patches develop uneven growth.
Pro Tip #1
Always measure depth at several points. Soil settles unevenly, so a single depth reading is never accurate.
How a Topsoil Calculator Works
A topsoil calculator multiplies area by depth, converts the result into your preferred unit, and then shows the exact volume needed.
Area × Depth → Volume
Volume → Converted to yd³, ft³, m³, bags, or truckloads
Our calculator also supports:
- Multiple areas (rooms, sections, zones)
- Raised bed dimensions
- Lawn topdressing depths
- Bag sizes (25 L, 40 L, 50 L, or custom)
- Cost estimation per yard or per bag
- Mix ratios for sand, compost, and topsoil
Topsoil Depth Guide
Different projects require different soil depths. Here is a simple, reliable reference:
| Project Type | Recommended Depth |
|---|---|
| New Lawn (Sod or Seed) | 4–6 inches (10–15 cm) |
| Lawn Topdressing | 0.25–1 inch (0.6–2.5 cm) |
| Flower Beds | 8–12 inches (20–30 cm) |
| Vegetable Gardens | 10–12 inches (25–30 cm) |
| Raised Beds | 12–18 inches (30–45 cm) |
| Trees and Shrubs | 12–24 inches (30–60 cm) |
Shorter projects (topdressing) need accuracy within fractions of an inch, while raised beds need deeper soil for root development.
Pro Tip #2
If you’re creating new lawn from scratch, never use shallow soil. Anything below 4 inches leads to dry patches and slow growth.
Topsoil Coverage by Project Type
Different applications consume soil at different rates. Here’s a simple breakdown for each requirement:
1. New Lawn Installation
New lawns require deep soil that can support roots. You need 4–6 inches of topsoil over the entire lawn area. A calculator ensures this depth is consistent and not estimated by eye.
2. Lawn Topdressing
Topdressing requires shallow depth — anywhere from 0.25 in to 1 in. Small errors here cause uneven surfaces. A calculator helps avoid applying too much, which can choke the lawn.
3. Garden Beds & Planting Areas
Vegetables and flowers need loose, rich soil. Depth requirement: 8–12 inches.
4. Landscaping Projects
Landscaping often involves irregular shapes. Using a multi-area input allows users to calculate:
- Curved garden edges
- Multiple zones
- Flower bed clusters
- Walkway borders
Basic Area Calculations
The simplest way to measure is length × width × depth. You can enter values in ft, in, m, or cm, and the calculator automatically converts everything into cubic yards.
Usage Tips:
- Enter one rectangle, square, or simple area.
- Use this for patios, lawns, new gardens, small beds, or playground surfaces.
- Works best for uniform, flat areas.
Pro Tip #3
Always round depth upward — not downward. Soil compacts naturally and loses volume when spread.
Multi-Area Calculations
Real projects rarely consist of just one rectangle. Multi-area mode helps you calculate total soil for:
- Front + backyard
- Several beds around the lawn
- Irregular or split sections
- Multiple raised beds
- Sidewalk borders
- Tree rings
Each area is calculated separately and added to the final total.
Multi-Area Benefits
- No need to calculate by hand
- Perfect for complex garden layouts
- Ensures consistent soil depth across all zones
Lawn Topdressing Calculator
Topdressing requires extremely precise depth. Depth options include:
- 0.25 inch
- 0.5 inch
- 0.75 inch
- 1 inch
The calculator converts thin layers into cubic yards or bags, eliminating guesswork and saving soil cost.
Key Benefits: Lawn Topdressing
- Improves drainage
- Levels uneven patches
- Adds nutrients
- Reduces compaction
Raised Bed Soil Calculator
Raised beds come in standard dimensions: length × width × height. Our calculator supports rectangular or multi-bed setups and gives volume in cubic feet, cubic yards, or liters.
Usage Tips:
- Enter inside dimensions only
- Add extra depth for settling (1–2 inches)
- Avoid mixing topsoil alone for raised beds — add compost
Pro Tip #4
Raised beds settle over time. Always fill them slightly higher than the edge to account for settling.
Bags & Truckload Estimator
Once volume is calculated, you can convert it into:
Bag Sizes
- 25 L
- 40 L
- 50 L
- Custom bag volumes
Truckload Sizes
- Small pickup → 1–2 yards
- Medium dump → 4–6 yards
- Large dump → 10–12 yards
The calculator instantly converts your volume into bags or truckloads so you know exactly what to order.
Topsoil Cost Estimator
Cost varies by region, soil quality, and delivery fees. Typical prices:
- $20–$50 per cubic yard
- $2–$6 per bag
- $30–$100 delivery fee
Our calculator allows you to input price per yard, price per bag, and delivery cost to see the total cost for your project.
Advanced Mix Ratios & Waste Factor
Some projects require mixed soil (topsoil + compost + sand).
Common Mix Ratios:
- Vegetable beds → 2:1:0 (topsoil : compost : sand)
- Lawn topdressing → 3:1:1
- Leveling mix → 2:0:1
The waste factor (5–15%) accounts for soil settling, spillage, uneven surfaces, and compaction.
Key Benefits of Soil Mixing
- Better drainage for heavy clay
- Improved aeration
- Higher nutrient density
- Superior soil structure
Pro Tip #5
Always mix soil thoroughly before filling beds. Uneven mixing leads to pockets of poor drainage.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Users often miscalculate soil volume because they:
- Measure only one depth point
- Forget to convert inches to feet
- Ignore soil compaction
- Order bags instead of bulk when large volume is needed
- Underestimate raised bed height
- Forget delivery is extra cost
Real-World Examples
1. New Lawn (500 sq ft)
Depth: 5 inches
Output: ~2.3 cubic yards
2. Raised Bed 4×8×1 ft
Volume: 32 ft³
Output: 1.18 yd³
3. Lawn Topdressing
Area: 1000 ft² (1 inch)
Output: ~3.1 cubic yards
These examples show how dramatically depth affects soil volume.
Frequently Asked Questions
Final Words
A topsoil calculator removes all the guesswork from your project. Whether you’re building raised beds, fixing bare lawn patches, installing new sod, or planning a complex multi-area landscaping upgrade, accuracy matters. Even a small depth mismatch can change your total volume by yards—not inches.
By combining area, depth, waste factor, mix ratios, and cost, this tool gives you reliable numbers for any outdoor space. Short sentences, clean visuals, and instant conversions make it easy for homeowners, gardeners, and contractors alike.
Measure once. Enter your depth. Get the exact topsoil volume you need.
When you're ready, simply start your calculation and build your project with clarity and confidence.
Key Features
- Accurate soil volume for any shape or depth
- Coverage options for lawns, beds, bags, and trucks
- Handles metric + imperial units
- Mix ratios for compost, sand, and special blends
- Cost estimation with real-world pricing
- Multi-area support
- Waste factor adjustments (5–15%)
- Raised bed and topdressing presets