Order the right amount of soil.
Enter your bed size and depth to see the cubic yards, cubic feet and number of bags of topsoil you need, plus how much it weighs and whether bulk by the yard or bags is cheaper for your project.
Your bed
A standard bag of topsoil holds about 0.75 cubic feet. One cubic yard covers roughly 100 sq ft at 3 inches deep and weighs about 1.1 tons.
What to know before you order
Bulk by the yard vs bags
What each option costs for this project
Order summary
How much at each depth
Same bed size, four common depths. Raised beds and new lawns want the deeper rows, which means more material and more cost.
| Depth | Cubic yards | Bags | Bulk cost | Bagged cost |
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Soil, explained
How to Calculate Soil Volume
Multiply the length by the width to get the area in square feet. Convert the depth from inches to feet by dividing by 12. Multiply the area by the depth in feet to get cubic feet. Divide by 27 to convert to cubic yards. One cubic yard covers approximately 324 square feet at 1 inch deep.
Choosing the Right Soil
Topsoil is best for general landscaping and filling low spots. Garden soil is enriched with compost for planting beds. Potting mix is lightweight and used for containers. For raised beds, a mix of 60% topsoil, 30% compost, and 10% perlite or vermiculite provides good drainage and nutrients.
Common questions
How much does a cubic yard of soil weigh?
A cubic yard of dry topsoil weighs approximately 2,000-2,500 pounds (1-1.25 tons). Wet soil can weigh significantly more, up to 3,000+ pounds. This is important for delivery truck capacity and load calculations.
Should I buy soil in bags or bulk?
For small areas (under 1 cubic yard), bagged soil is convenient. For larger projects, bulk delivery is more economical. A cubic yard equals about 13-14 bags of 2 cubic feet each, or 27 bags of 1 cubic foot each.
How deep should topsoil be for a new lawn?
New lawns need 4-6 inches of quality topsoil. For overseeding existing lawns, 1-2 inches of topsoil or compost is sufficient. Garden beds typically need 8-12 inches of enriched soil for healthy root development.
Estimates for planning only. Actual coverage and weight vary with soil type, moisture and how much it settles once watered in. Order about 10% extra to be safe, and confirm bulk delivery fees before you compare prices.