Topsoil Calculator — How Much Topsoil You Need
Enter the area you want to cover and the depth of topsoil you want to add. The calculator returns the volume in cubic feet, cubic yards, and an optional bag estimate.
What this calculator determines
It calculates the topsoil volume needed to cover an area at a chosen depth, with an optional bag estimate when you enter a bag size.
Related calculators
Garden Size Calculator
Calculate total garden area from length × width in feet, inches, or meters
Garden Bed Soil Calculator
Soil to add to an in-ground bed from area and added soil depth
Compost Calculator
Compost volume from garden area and desired compost depth
Mulch Calculator
Mulch needed from garden area and desired mulch depth — cubic feet, yards, bags
Raised Bed Soil Calculator
Soil volume for raised beds — cubic feet, cubic yards, liters, and bag count
Examples
500 sq ft, 6 in deep
500 sq ft × 6 in
Calculation
- Depth: 6 ÷ 12 = 0.5 ft
- Volume: 500 × 0.5 = 250 cu ft
- Cubic yards: 250 ÷ 27 = 9.26
250 cu ft (9.26 cu yd)
Assumptions & Conventions
- Volume basis
- Volume = area × depth, with depth in inches converted to feet.
- Bag estimate
- Bags are only shown when you enter a bag size; the count is rounded up so the calculated volume is fully covered.
- Unit conversions
- 1 cubic yard = 27 cubic feet; 1 cubic foot = 28.3168 liters.