TOPSOIL CALCULATOR
How it works
A lawn area 30 ft × 20 ft, topped 4 inches deep, with no waste added.
- Convert the depth to feet: 4 in ÷ 12 = 0.333 ft.
- Volume: 30 × 20 × 0.333 = 200 ft³, which is 7.41 cubic yards.
- Weight: 7.41 yd³ × 2,200 lb/yd³ = 16,296 lb.
- Divide by 2,000: 8.15 tons.
7.41 cubic yards of topsoil — about 8.15 tons.
Constants
| Constant | Value |
|---|---|
| Topsoil density | 2,200 lb/yd³ |
| Cubic feet per cubic yard | 27 ft³ |
| Pounds per US ton | 2,000 lb |
SOURCE — topsoil: 2,200 lb/yd³ (1,600 airy to 2,700 moist).
SOURCE — 1 yd³ = 27 ft³, by definition.
SOURCE — 1 US short ton = 2,000 lb, by definition.
Quick answers
A 30 ft × 20 ft area at 4 inches deep takes 7.41 cubic yards of topsoil, which weighs about 8.15 tons.
Topsoil averages 2,200 lb per cubic yard, so a yard is about 1.1 tons — lighter than gravel, heavier than mulch.
One cubic yard of topsoil covers 81 square feet at 4 inches deep, or 108 square feet at 3 inches.
New lawns want 4 to 6 inches of topsoil over a prepared subgrade; raised beds and planting areas take 8 to 12 inches.
Soil settles and low spots always take more than the drawing suggests, so most landscapers order 10% over the calculated volume.
FAQ
How many yards of topsoil do I need?
Multiply length by width in feet, multiply by the depth in feet, and divide by 27. A 30 ft × 20 ft area at 4 inches deep is 7.41 cubic yards.
How much does a yard of topsoil weigh?
About 2,200 lb, or 1.1 tons. It ranges from roughly 1,600 lb for airy screened soil to 2,700 lb when wet, so a rainy week changes the delivery ticket.
How deep should topsoil be for grass?
Four to six inches over a prepared subgrade for a new lawn. Less than four inches dries out quickly and roots stay shallow; more than six is rarely worth the cost for turf alone.
How much area does a yard of topsoil cover?
324 square feet at 1 inch deep, so 81 square feet at 4 inches and 54 square feet at 6 inches. Divide 324 by your depth in inches.
How many yards fit in a pickup truck?
A half-ton pickup can safely carry about half a cubic yard of topsoil — roughly 1,100 lb. A full yard weighs more than a ton and will overload most consumer trucks.
Is screened topsoil worth the extra cost?
For lawns and beds, generally yes: screening removes rocks, roots and clods that would otherwise show up under the finished grade. For bulk fill below the surface, unscreened material is fine.