Soil Calculator: Cubic Yards, Tons and Bags of Soil

How to work it out

Measure each bed or section, and add a separate area for each.
Choose a depth from the guide below.
Choose the type: topsoil for planting, fill dirt for raising or leveling ground, or a raised bed mix.
Keep some extra, because loose soil settles once it is spread and watered. The calculator starts with 10%.

How deep to go

Job	Typical depth
Filling low spots in a lawn	1 to 2 in
New lawn from seed or sod	4 to 6 in
New vegetable or flower bed	6 to 12 in
Raised bed	The bed's height

These are common starting points. Your site, climate and supplier may call for something different.

What one cubic yard covers

Depth	Area covered
1 in	324 sq ft
2 in	162 sq ft
3 in	108 sq ft
4 in	81 sq ft
6 in	54 sq ft

Topsoil, fill dirt or mix?

Plants grow best in topsoil or a bed mix with compost in it. Fill dirt has little organic matter and is used underneath, to raise or level ground before the topsoil goes on.

Why the weight is only an estimate

Soil weight changes a lot with what it is made of and how wet it is. Each type starts with a typical figure. If your supplier gives you one, type it in.

Common questions

How much soil do I need?

Multiply length by width by depth in feet to get cubic feet, then divide by 27 for cubic yards. A 10 by 4 ft bed filled 6 inches deep needs 20 cubic feet, about 0.74 cubic yards.

How many bags of soil make a yard?

27 bags of 1 cubic foot, 36 bags of 0.75 cubic feet, or 18 bags of 1.5 cubic feet.

Should I buy soil in bags or bulk?

Bags are easier for small jobs and tight spaces. Above a cubic yard or so, bulk delivery is usually cheaper. Enter both prices above to compare.

Doing this job for a customer? Turn your numbers into a free written estimate on QuoteToPaid.

Soil calculator