Find out how many cubic yards of topsoil you need for a lawn, garden bed, or landscaping project — and estimate the total cost. Enter your area dimensions, desired depth, and local price per cubic yard.
Topsoil is sold by the cubic yard. One cubic yard equals 27 cubic feet and weighs roughly 1,000–1,500 lbs depending on moisture content.
| Application | Recommended Depth | Coverage per Cu Yd |
|---|---|---|
| Lawn topdressing | 1–2 inches | 162–324 sq ft |
| New lawn establishment | 4–6 inches | 54–81 sq ft |
| Vegetable garden | 6–12 inches | 27–54 sq ft |
| Raised beds | 8–12 inches | 27–40 sq ft |
| General landscaping | 3–4 inches | 81–108 sq ft |
Calculating the right amount of topsoil prevents costly over-ordering and time-wasting return trips to the supply store. The key variables are area (length × width) and depth — which together give you volume. Most materials are sold by the cubic yard (27 cubic feet) or by the bag/pallet.
Volume (cubic feet) = Length (ft) × Width (ft) × Depth (ft)
Cubic yards = Cubic feet ÷ 27
Always add 10% for waste, spillage, and uneven surfaces. It's cheaper to have a little extra than to run short mid-project.
Ready-mix concrete is delivered in trucks and is cost-effective for large pours (over 1 cubic yard). For smaller projects, bagged concrete mix works well — an 80-lb bag covers about 0.6 cubic feet when mixed. Calculate the number of bags by dividing your total cubic feet by 0.6.