Topsoil Calculator: Cubic Yards and Tons

This topsoil calculator works out the volume of soil needed to cover an area to a given depth. Enter the length and width in feet, the depth in inches and the weight of one cubic yard from your supplier; you get cubic yards, cubic feet, cubic metres and an approximate weight in tons.

Formula

Volume (ft³) = length × width × depth ÷ 12. Cubic yards = cubic feet ÷ 27. Weight (US tons) = cubic yards × pounds per cubic yard ÷ 2,000. One cubic yard is 0.764555 m³.

• l, w: area length and width in feet
• d: depth of soil in inches
• lb: weight of one cubic yard of the soil, from the supplier (often about 1 to 1.35 US tons, 2,000 to 2,700 lb, per cubic yard depending on moisture; use the supplier’s figure)

Worked Example

An area 20 ft × 10 ft covered 4 in deep, at 2,000 lb per cubic yard.

1. Cubic feet = 20 × 10 × 4 ÷ 12 = 66.67 ft³
2. Cubic yards = 66.67 ÷ 27 = 2.47 yd³
3. Weight = 2.47 × 2,000 ÷ 2,000 = 2.47 US tons
4. Cubic metres = 2.469 × 0.764555 = 1.89 m³

How to use the result

Bulk soil is sold by the cubic yard (or by the ton in some yards). Round up to the supplier’s minimum step, often a quarter or half yard. Bagged soil is sold by the cubic foot: divide the cubic feet by the bag size.

Limits and common mistakes

• Loose soil settles after watering and rolling; many people add 10-20% for settling when filling beds.
• Depth is in inches, not feet: 4 in is 0.333 ft.
• Soil weight varies with moisture and mix; use the supplier’s figure if you need to check a truck or trailer load.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much area does a cubic yard of topsoil cover?

At 1 in deep about 324 ft², at 2 in 162 ft², at 4 in 81 ft² (324 ÷ depth in inches).

How much topsoil do I need to level a lawn before sod?

Often 1-2 in for a light top-dress or levelling; enter your measured depth.

How many bags of soil make a cubic yard?

27 bags of 1 ft³, or 36 bags of 0.75 ft³.

Is a ton of topsoil the same as a cubic yard?

Not exactly: a cubic yard usually weighs about 1 to 1.35 US tons depending on moisture; check with the supplier.

in l | Length | ft | 20 | 0 | 100000
in w | Width | ft | 10 | 0 | 100000
in d | Depth of soil | in | 4 | 0 | 120
in lb | Weight of one cubic yard | lb | 2000 | 0 | 5000
out yd | Topsoil needed | yd³ | l * w * d / 12 / 27 | 2
out ft3 | Topsoil needed | ft³ | l * w * d / 12 | 2
out tons | Approximate weight | US tons | yd * lb / 2000 | 2
out m3 | Topsoil needed | m³ | yd * 0.764554857984 | 2