How much soil do I need? Calculate cubic yards, tons, and bags for topsoil, garden soil, compost, potting mix, or fill dirt. Enter your project dimensions for an instant estimate.
Project Details
Area Length (ft)
Area Width (ft)
Depth (inches)
Soil Type
10% for standard projects, 15% for irregular areas
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Enter your project details for a soil estimate
Last updated March 2026 by our expert review team
Bulk delivery prices. Bags cost 2x to 4x more per cubic yard equivalent.
Ruth Wairimu
Landscape Architect
Landscape architect with 9+ years of experience, AAK member, IFLA climate activist, and founder of Bloomwell.
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Certified Cost & Estimating Professional
AACE-certified estimator working with 20+ insulation companies including the two largest franchises in America.
See full profileUpdated March 2026
How we verify our calculatorsFor raised beds, use a 60/40 mix of topsoil and compost. Our raised bed soil calculator can help you get the exact ratio.
Need to raise the grade before adding topsoil? Use our fill dirt calculator for the base layer, then top with quality soil.
After spreading soil, add 2 to 3 inches of mulch on top to retain moisture. Our mulch calculator will tell you how much you need.
Buying bulk soil saves 40% to 60% compared to bags for orders over 1 cubic yard. Most suppliers have a 2 to 3 cubic yard minimum for delivery.
Test your soil pH before amending. Most plants prefer a pH between 6.0 and 7.0. A simple $10 test kit from any garden center works fine.
Topsoil settles 10% to 15% after watering and compaction. Order slightly more than you think you need to account for this settling.
Enter your area length, width, and desired soil depth.
Select your soil type and adjust the waste factor for your project.
Get cubic yards, cubic feet, tons, bag counts, and cost estimates for bulk and bagged soil.
Formulas
Volume (cu ft) = Length x Width x (Depth / 12) x (1 + Waste%)
Cubic Yards = Volume / 27
Tons = Cubic Yards x Density
How many cubic yards of soil do I need?
Multiply length x width x depth (in feet), then divide by 27. For a 10x10 area at 4 inches deep, that's 10 x 10 x 0.33 = 33 cubic feet, or about 1.2 cubic yards.
What is the difference between topsoil and garden soil?
Topsoil is screened native soil, good for grading and filling. Garden soil is enriched with compost and nutrients, designed for planting. Use topsoil for large areas and garden soil for beds where you're growing plants.
How deep should I spread topsoil?
For new lawns: 4 to 6 inches. For garden beds: 6 to 12 inches. For topdressing existing lawns: 0.5 to 1 inch. For leveling low spots: varies by depth needed.
How much does a cubic yard of topsoil cost?
$20 to $40 per cubic yard for bulk delivery. Bagged topsoil costs $3 to $5 per cubic foot, which works out to $80 to $135 per cubic yard. Bulk is always cheaper for larger projects.
How many tons is a cubic yard of soil?
About 1.1 tons for screened topsoil. Garden soil is about 1.0 ton per yard, compost is 0.6 tons, and fill dirt is 1.3 tons. Wet soil can weigh 20% to 30% more.
How much topsoil do I need for 1,000 square feet?
At 4 inches deep: about 12.3 cubic yards (333 cubic feet). At 6 inches deep: about 18.5 cubic yards (500 cubic feet). Add 10% for waste.
Should I buy bags or bulk soil?
Buy bags for small projects under 1 cubic yard (27 bags). Buy bulk for anything larger. Bulk soil costs $20 to $55 per cubic yard delivered, while bags cost $80 to $190 per cubic yard equivalent.
When should I use fill dirt instead of topsoil?
Use fill dirt for grading, filling holes, and building up elevation. Use topsoil for the final 4 to 6 inches where plants will grow. Fill dirt has no organic matter and won't support plant growth.
A small flower bed along the house. About 13 bags of topsoil at 1 cu ft each. Budget $10 to $20 for bulk or $39 to $65 in bags.
A standard backyard garden plot. Bulk delivery is the smart move here. Budget $111 to $204 for bulk garden soil vs $267 to $467 in bags.
Topdressing an existing lawn to level it out. Use screened topsoil for best results. Budget $62 to $124 for bulk delivery.
Raising the grade along a property line. Use fill dirt for the base and topsoil for the top 4 inches. Budget $185 to $463 for fill dirt in bulk.
Not accounting for settling
Topsoil settles 10% to 15% after rain and foot traffic. Order 10% to 15% more than your calculated amount so you don't end up with low spots.
Using fill dirt where topsoil is needed
Fill dirt has no nutrients or organic matter. Plants won't grow in it. Use fill dirt for grading, then add 4 to 6 inches of topsoil on top for planting areas.
Over-ordering bags vs bulk
One cubic yard equals 27 one-cubic-foot bags. For anything over 1 cubic yard, bulk delivery saves 40% to 60%. Most suppliers deliver 2 to 3 cubic yard minimums.
Not testing soil before amending
A $10 soil test tells you exactly what your soil needs. Adding lime to already-alkaline soil or fertilizer to nutrient-rich soil wastes money and can harm plants.
Forgetting delivery minimum requirements
Most bulk soil suppliers require a 2 to 3 cubic yard minimum order for delivery. Smaller amounts may need to be picked up or purchased in bags.
Important Disclaimer
These estimates are for planning purposes only. Actual costs vary by location, material availability, and project complexity. Always get at least 3 local quotes. This calculator does not replace professional advice.