Topsoil Calculator
You need your area times the depth in feet, divided by 27 to get cubic yards. Enter the bed size and depth to get cubic yards, bags, tons, and cost.
How to estimate topsoil
Multiply the bed length × width × depth, with depth in feet, then divide by 27 to convert cubic feet into cubic yards. For a 3-inch dressing, depth is 0.25 ft. The calculator also shows the bagged equivalent so you can compare bulk and bagged pricing.
Bags vs bulk
Bagged topsoil is convenient for small beds but expensive by volume. Past about one cubic yard, bulk delivery almost always wins. Use the cubic yard calculator for any other fill volume.
Weight for delivery
Suppliers often quote by the ton. At roughly 1.1 tons per cubic yard, the calculator converts your volume so you can check delivery limits. For paver bedding instead, see the sand calculator.
Frequently asked
How much topsoil do I need?
Multiply the bed area by the depth in feet, then divide by 27 for cubic yards. A 400 sq ft bed at 3 inches deep needs about 3.7 cubic yards.
How many bags of topsoil are in a cubic yard?
A cubic yard is 27 cubic feet, so it equals about 36 of the 0.75 cu ft bags or 27 of the 1 cu ft bags. Bulk delivery is far cheaper for large beds.
How much does a cubic yard of topsoil weigh?
Roughly 1.0 to 1.3 tons depending on moisture and organic content. The calculator uses 1.1 tons per cubic yard by default.