Topsoil Calculator to estimate soil volume, cubic yards, material weight, purchase units, waste, and delivery cost for garden and landscaping projects.
Home & Construction Calculators
Calculate topsoil quantity from length, width, depth, density, package yield, waste, and price.
For bulk soil, confirm supplier units, moisture, compaction, delivery minimums, access, and whether the quoted volume is loose or compacted.
About the Topsoil Calculator
This topsoil calculator estimates soil volume in cubic feet and cubic yards, approximate material weight, purchase units, waste or compaction allowance, and preliminary cost.
Formula and assumptions
Volume = length × width × depth in feet. Cubic yards = cubic feet ÷ 27. Weight = adjusted cubic feet × density. Purchase units = adjusted volume ÷ package yield, rounded up.
Worked example
A 20-ft by 10-ft area filled to 4 inches has 66.67 cubic feet, or 2.47 cubic yards. With 10% waste, plan for 73.33 cubic feet. At 0.6 cubic feet per bag, 123 bags are needed. Actual settling and supplier yield may change the order.
Measurement checklist
- Measure several points if the area is uneven.
- Use finished grade and planned depth.
- Confirm whether the soil is loose or compacted.
- Check delivery access and minimum order size.
Manual calculation steps
- Convert depth from inches to feet.
- Multiply length × width × depth.
- Convert cubic feet to cubic yards.
- Apply waste or compaction.
- Divide by unit yield and round up.
- Add material, delivery, labor, and grading costs.
Frequently asked questions
Why add a compaction allowance?
Soil settles after placement, and uneven areas or handling losses can increase the required volume.
Should I order by cubic yard or bags?
Use the supplier’s actual selling unit and yield. Bulk topsoil and bagged soil can have different moisture and volume behavior.
Does this calculate garden nutrients?
No. Test the existing soil and choose amendments based on the plants and growing conditions.
Common mistakes
- Using inches as feet.
- Measuring only one uneven spot.
- Ignoring settling and delivery access.
- Confusing bulk cubic yards with bag yield.