AI Financial Assistant
BetaAsk questions about your calculation results
3 free questions per session
AI provides general information, not financial advice. Always consult a qualified professional.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
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.
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.
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.