Topsoil Calculator
Calculate the exact amount of dirt and soil needed for your garden.
Topsoil & Dirt Calculator
New lawns usually need 4-6 inches of topsoil.
Bulk Order Volume
0.00 yd³
OR BUY IN BAGS
0 Bags
Assuming standard 40lb bags (0.75 cubic feet per bag)
Don't Buy Too Much Dirt!
Whether you are filling a new raised bed, top-dressing an uneven lawn, or preparing a large vegetable patch, buying soil can be incredibly heavy and expensive work.
Our Topsoil Calculator is designed to tell you exactly how much soil you need in both Cubic Yards (for bulk delivery orders) and in 40lb Bags (for quick trips to the hardware store).
How to use the calculator:
- Garden Length & Width: Measure your planting area. You can input the measurements in feet, yards, or meters.
- Desired Depth: Decide how deep the new soil needs to be. For new lawns, 4-6 inches is standard. For raised beds, 8-12 inches is common.
The calculator will convert your measurements into total cubic yards. It also divides that volume by 0.75 cubic feet to tell you exactly how many standard 40lb bags of soil you would need to buy if you opt against bulk delivery.
Frequently Asked Questions
How deep should topsoil be?
For a new lawn, you typically need 4 to 6 inches of quality topsoil to allow grass roots to establish deeply. For a vegetable garden or raised bed, you might need 8 to 12 inches of soil depending on what you are planting.
Should I buy topsoil in bulk (yards) or in bags?
As a general rule, if you need less than 1 cubic yard (about 36 bags), it's easier to buy it in bags from a home improvement store. If you need more than 1 cubic yard, it is almost always significantly cheaper to order it in bulk from a local landscape supplier.
How many bags of soil are in a cubic yard?
A standard 40lb bag of topsoil contains approximately 0.75 cubic feet of dirt. Since there are 27 cubic feet in a yard, it takes exactly 36 standard 40lb bags to make one cubic yard.
What is the difference between Topsoil and Garden Soil?
Topsoil is simply the uppermost layer of dirt from the earth; it is great for filling holes or leveling a lawn. Garden Soil is topsoil that has been enriched with compost and organic matter, making it much better for growing vegetables and flowers.