How Much Topsoil Do You Need?
Enter your area and depth to get cubic yards and bags to order — for lawns, garden beds, raised beds, or fill.
Last updated: May 30, 2026
Area & Depth
Topsoil Order Summary
2.47
cubic yards
40 lb Bags (alt.)89 bags
Area200 sq ft
Volume66.67 cu ft
Weight2.47 tons (4,938 lbs)
200 sq ft · 4" depth · Screened Topsoil
Worked Examples
Small Lawn — 20×10 ft, 4" depth
- Area: 20 × 10 = 200 sq ft
- Volume: 200 × (4÷12) = 66.67 cu ft ÷ 27 = 2.47 cu yd
- Bags: ~89 bags of 40 lb (0.75 cu ft each) — bulk delivery is more practical
Garden Beds — 30×15 ft, 6" depth
- Area: 30 × 15 = 450 sq ft
- Volume: 450 × 0.5 = 225 cu ft ÷ 27 = 8.33 cu yd
- Weight: ~8.3 tons (screened topsoil at 2,000 lbs/cu yd)
Raised Bed — 4×8 ft, 12" depth
- Area: 4 × 8 = 32 sq ft
- Volume: 32 × 1 = 32 cu ft ÷ 27 = 1.19 cu yd
- Bags: ~43 bags — a manageable bag order for a single bed
Topsoil Depth Guide
| Project | Depth | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| New lawn / overseeding | 4 inches | Minimum for healthy root establishment |
| Flower / vegetable beds | 6 inches | Deeper for better drainage and root growth |
| Raised garden beds | 10–12 inches | Allows full root depth without ground contact |
| Grading / fill / leveling | 2–4 inches | Varies — fill low spots to match surrounding grade |
Topsoil Type Guide
| Type | Price Range | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Screened Topsoil | $25–$50/cu yd | Lawns and gardens — filtered, no rocks or debris |
| Unscreened Topsoil | $15–$30/cu yd | Fill and grading — may contain debris |
| Organic Topsoil | $35–$60/cu yd | Gardens — enriched with compost for plant growth |
| Garden Mix | $40–$70/cu yd | Premium beds — topsoil + compost blend |
Frequently Asked Questions
A 20×10 ft area (200 sq ft) with 4 inches of topsoil needs about 2.47 cubic yards. Bulk topsoil is sold and delivered by the cubic yard — use this calculator and enter your dimensions for an exact count.
For a new lawn or overseeding: 4 inches. For flower or vegetable garden beds: 6 inches. For raised beds: 10–12 inches. For grading and fill: 2–3 inches where needed. See the Depth Guide below.
1 cubic yard covers 324 sq ft at 1 inch deep, 108 sq ft at 3 inches deep, or 81 sq ft at 4 inches deep. For a quick estimate: multiply your area (sq ft) by the depth in inches, then divide by 324 to get cubic yards.
For anything over 1 cubic yard, bulk delivery is cheaper and easier — typical delivery ranges from $30–80 per cubic yard. Bags (40 lb ≈ 0.75 cu ft) work for small raised beds or patch jobs under half a yard. Use the bag count in results to compare both options.
Screened topsoil is filtered to remove rocks, roots, and debris — best for lawns and gardens. Unscreened topsoil may contain debris and is typically cheaper, suitable for fill and grading. Organic topsoil or garden mix adds compost for premium plant growth.