Skip to content
CostToUpgrade
Landscaping

Topsoil Calculator

Estimate the topsoil for a bed, lawn, or grading project. Enter the area and target depth to get the volume in cubic yards and cubic feet, plus an estimated delivered cost.

Reviewed by The CostToUpgrade Estimating Desk Last reviewed How we estimate

Your project

Area

2–3" for top-dressing, 4–6" for new beds or lawns.

Pricing

Bulk screened topsoil is commonly $30–$60 per cubic yard plus delivery.

Estimate

1.85yd³

Topsoil needed · Order bulk above ~3 yd³

Volume
50ft³
Estimated cost
$83.33

Estimates are guidance only and exclude tax, labor, and site conditions unless stated. Confirm with a local pro.

How it's calculated

No black boxes — here is the exact math behind your estimate, so you can check it or adapt it for your own quote.

  1. 1Volume (ft³) = length × width × (depth ÷ 12)
  2. 2Cubic yards = volume (ft³) ÷ 27
  3. 3Cost = cubic yards × price per yard

Worked example

A 20 ft × 10 ft bed topped up 3 inches deep.

Inputs

Length
20 ft
Width
10 ft
Depth
3 in
Topsoil price
45 $/yd³

Result

Topsoil needed
1.85 yd³
Volume
50 ft³
Estimated cost
$83.33

Tools & materials for this project

As an Amazon Associate we may earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.

  • Bagged topsoil Convenient for small beds and topping low spots.
  • Garden bow rake Spread and grade soil to an even surface.
Get real quotes

Compare local pros for topsoil

An estimate gets you a budget. A few competing quotes get you the real price. Tell us about the job and we'll help you find vetted contractors nearby.

Get matched

Topsoil cost by state

The calculator does the quantity math exactly. What it can't know is what a fair unit price looks like where you live — topsoil runs 61% more in the priciest US market than the cheapest.

Topsoil cost in all 50 states + DC US average $45 per cubic yard delivered · regional averages, full ranked table, and typical project totals.

Frequently asked questions

How many yards of topsoil do I need?
Multiply length × width × depth (all in feet), then divide by 27 to get cubic yards. A 20×10 bed topped 3 inches deep is about 1.85 cubic yards. Bulk delivery is usually cheaper than bags once you need more than ~3 yards.
How deep should topsoil be?
Two to three inches is enough to top-dress an existing lawn, while four to six inches is better when establishing a new bed or lawn so roots have room to develop. For vegetable beds, deeper is better.
How much does a yard of topsoil weigh?
A cubic yard of topsoil weighs roughly 1,800–2,200 pounds (about a ton) depending on moisture and organic content. Keep that in mind for delivery limits and for moving it by wheelbarrow.