Volume: 33.33 cubic feet
Bags (40 lb, 0.75 cu ft each): 45 bags
Estimated cost: —
How to use this topsoil calculator
Enter the length and width of the area in feet or inches and the depth of topsoil in inches. The calculator shows the volume in cubic yards and cubic feet, how many 40 pound bags that equals, and the total cost if you enter a price per cubic yard. Use the Feet or Inches button to switch the area unit. If you switch units, your entered length and width are converted so the physical size stays the same.
How to calculate topsoil
Multiply the area length by the area width to get square feet, then multiply by the depth in feet to get cubic feet. Divide cubic feet by 27 to get cubic yards. For a 10 by 10 foot area at 4 inches deep: 10 times 10 equals 100 square feet, 4 inches is one third of a foot, so 100 times one third equals 33.33 cubic feet, and 33.33 divided by 27 equals 1.23 cubic yards. One 40 pound bag holds about 0.75 cubic feet, so 33.33 divided by 0.75 equals 44.44, rounded up to 45 bags.
How deep should topsoil be
| Job | Depth |
|---|---|
| Topdressing an existing lawn | 1 to 2 in |
| New lawn from seed or sod | 4 to 6 in |
| Garden beds | 6 to 12 in |
| Filling low spots | 2 to 4 in |
Bags per cubic yard
| Bag size | Bags per cubic yard |
|---|---|
| 0.75 cu ft (40 lb) | 36 |
| 1 cu ft | 27 |
| 2 cu ft | 13.5 |
Frequently asked questions
How many cubic yards of topsoil do I need for a 10 by 10 area at 4 inches deep?
You need 1.23 cubic yards. A 10 by 10 area is 100 square feet, and 4 inches deep gives 33.33 cubic feet, which is 1.23 cubic yards.
How many bags of topsoil do I need?
Divide the cubic feet by the bag size. A 40 pound bag holds about 0.75 cubic feet, so 33.33 cubic feet needs 45 bags. For a full cubic yard, buy 36 bags of 0.75 cubic feet.
How deep should topsoil be for a new lawn?
Use 4 to 6 inches of topsoil under a new lawn from seed or sod. Less than 4 inches dries out fast and gives roots little room to grow.
How much does a cubic yard of topsoil weigh?
A cubic yard of topsoil weighs roughly 2,000 pounds, more when it is wet. A full dump truck load of 10 cubic yards is about 20,000 pounds, so check that the delivery truck can reach the spot without damaging the driveway or lawn.
How do I measure topsoil for a raised bed?
Measure the inside length and width of the bed in feet and the depth you want in inches, then enter those numbers in the calculator. A 4 by 8 foot bed filled 12 inches deep needs 32 cubic feet, which is 1.19 cubic yards.