Calculate how much topsoil, fill dirt, garden soil, or compost you need for any landscaping or garden project. Get results in cubic yards, tons, bags, and estimated cost.
Quick reference for common rectangular areas at popular depths.
| Area (sq ft) | 2" deep | 4" deep | 6" deep |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100 | 0.62 | 1.23 | 1.85 |
| 200 | 1.23 | 2.47 | 3.70 |
| 500 | 3.09 | 6.17 | 9.26 |
| 1,000 | 6.17 | 12.35 | 18.52 |
Covering a 500-square-foot garden bed with 4 inches of topsoil? You need about 6.17 cubic yards (8.3 tons). At typical bulk delivery prices of $25–$50 per cubic yard, budget $154–$309 for materials.
| Depth | Area Covered per Cubic Yard |
|---|---|
| 2 inches | 162 sq ft |
| 4 inches | 81 sq ft |
| 6 inches | 54 sq ft |
| 8 inches | 40.5 sq ft |
| 12 inches | 27 sq ft |
4–6 inches of topsoil is recommended for establishing a new lawn. For overseeding or patching, 1–2 inches is usually sufficient. If you're building raised garden beds, 12–18 inches of topsoil mixed with compost provides ideal growing conditions.
Topsoil weighs approximately 2,000–2,700 pounds per cubic yard depending on moisture content. Dry screened topsoil averages about 2,200 lbs (1.1 tons) per cubic yard, while wet topsoil can weigh over 3,000 lbs per yard.
Topsoil is nutrient-rich and best for planting — lawns, gardens, and flower beds. Fill dirt is cheaper and used to raise or level ground, fill holes, and build up grades. Fill dirt should not be used where you plan to grow plants since it lacks organic matter.
Bulk topsoil typically costs $25–$50 per cubic yard plus delivery. Delivery fees range from $50–$150 depending on distance and load size. For large jobs (10+ cubic yards), many suppliers include delivery in the per-yard price.
Compost is decomposed organic matter used as a soil amendment — it improves soil structure, drainage, and nutrients. Topsoil is the top layer of natural soil. For best results, mix 1–2 inches of compost into 4–6 inches of topsoil. Compost alone is too light and nutrient-dense for most planting without mixing.
Standard bags contain about 1 cubic foot. Divide your total cubic feet by 1 to get the number of bags. For example, 6.17 cubic yards = 166.6 cubic feet = 167 bags. For large areas, bulk delivery is significantly cheaper than buying bags.
Planning a raised garden bed? Try our garden bed soil calculator for more specific planting mixes.