Topsoil Calculator
Enter your measurements and instantly find out how many cubic yards you need. No hassle, no confusion, just quick answers!
Length x Width x Depth
Example: 12′ length x 14′ width x 4″ depth = 2.07 cubic yards
Formula: (Length in feet x Width in feet x Depth in feet) / 27Radius x Depth
Example: 12′ radius x 6″ depth = 8.38 cubic yards
Formula: ( 3.1416 x (Radius x Radius) x Depth in feet ) / 27Length x Width x Depth (Triangle)
Example: 12′ length x 14′ width x 4″ depth = 1.04 cubic yards
Formula: ((Length in feet / 2) x Width in feet x Depth in feet) / 27Notes and Recommendations
- Be sure to account for settling, 1/3 of topsoil will settle
- To top dress your existing lawn area, calculate 1″ depth.
- To fill a vegetable garden, calculate 8-12″ depth.
- For new home seed lawn, calculate 4-6″ depth.
- For new home sodded lawn, calculate 3-5″ depth.
- For raised planting, calculate 12-18″ depth.
- To calculate odd or complex shapes, split the area into combinations of rectangles, triangles and/or circles. Drawing the site on graph paper is recommended.
Use one or more of these calculators to determine the number of cubic yards needed. Simply enter the length and width (or radius), in feet, as well as the depth, in inches.
Planning a garden, raised bed, or landscape redesign? Don’t let inaccurate measurements lead to wasted time, money, or materials. Our Topsoil Calculator helps you estimate how many cubic yards of soil you’ll need based on your project dimensions and desired depth. Whether you’re working with organic matter, compost, or imported topsoil, this easy tool ensures you get the right amount every time.
What Is a Topsoil Calculator?
A Topsoil Calculator (or soil calculator) is a tool used to measure the volume of soil required for a specific area. It uses geometrical formulas to determine how much garden soil, soil improver, or landscaping bark you’ll need in cubic yards the standard unit for bulk bags of soil.
This tool is especially helpful for:
- Creating raised beds
- Filling planting beds
- Designing a rain garden
- Preparing site development
- Meeting the King County Post-Construction Soil Standard or similar local regulations
How Does the Topsoil Calculator Work?
It’s simple! You’ll just need three key details:
- Length of your area (in feet or meters)
- Width (or distance across)
- Depth Area (in inches or feet)
Once you enter the values, the calculator will give you the total cubic yards required.
Tip: You can calculate volume for Box Areas, Circular Areas, or irregular shapes by breaking them into measurable sections.
Volume Calculation in Cubic Yards
The volume formula is:
Length × Width × Depth ÷ 27 = Cubic Yards
Why divide by 27?
There are 27 cubic feet in a cubic yard, which is the most common unit for bulk topsoil.
You can use this method for calculating soil for:
- Raised garden beds
- Pot or Elevated Planters
- Wildflower Turf installations
- Post-construction soil treatment
Why Accurate Soil Estimation Matters
Ordering too little soil delays your project, while ordering too much wastes money and resources. Inaccurate measurements also throw off your soil amendment rate and moisture content balance.
Accurate soil estimation helps with:
- Better root vegetables growth
- Healthy soil structure
- Effective watering systems
- Avoiding costly permitting applications
Choosing the Right Type of Soil
Depending on your garden’s need, your soil might include:
- Organic matter: Enhances soil composition and promotes beneficial microbes.
- Compost Soil Improver: Adds nutrients and boosts water content.
- Peat Moss: Increases moisture content but should be used responsibly.
- Potting Mix: Perfect for pots and containers.
- Clay Soil, Sandy Soil, Silty Soil, Peaty Soil: Choose based on your plant types and local climate.
- Rain Garden Soil: Designed for drainage and filtration.
For raised beds or custom builds, consider Site-Specific Bulk Topsoil options.
Soil Testing & pH Considerations
Before ordering soil:
- Test your existing soil for pH level, moisture content, and soil density
- Adjust with soil improvers or custom compost amendment rates
- Use laboratory tests for large or commercial projects
Good soil management prevents soil degradation and improves soil conservation for long-term results.
Common Tools for Soil Management
Here are a few items that help with soil prep:
- Gardening fork
- Season-extending tools
- GroRight® 2kg soil enhancer
- Play Grade Decorative Bark Chippings
- Bark & Mulch for surface coverage
Bulk Bags vs Bagged Soil
| Bulk Soil | Bagged Soil |
|---|---|
| Cheaper per cubic yard | Easier to carry/store |
| Great for large areas | Ideal for small patches |
| Requires delivery space | Can be picked up easily |
Calculate your bag volume with our Quantity Calculator and check how many bags = 1 cubic yard.
Pro Tips for Measuring Accurately
- Use a tape measure or laser distance meter
- Account for quarter of an inch in extra depth for leveling
- Double-check areas on your project site map
- Add 5–10% extra for settling or compaction
Real-Life Example: Raised Bed Calculation
You’re building a raised bed:
- Length: 6 ft
- Width: 4 ft
- Depth: 1 ft
6 × 4 × 1 = 24 ÷ 27 = 0.89 cubic yards
You’ll need just under 1 cubic yard of soil. Easy!
Need Help?
Still unsure how much soil to order? Want to understand materials coverage better?
📧 Reach out to the Customer Services Team at Jones Topsoil, a trusted name in topsoil, soil, and residential coal for home furnaces since 1923. You can also ask about Jones Fuel Co. for energy-efficient soil heating solutions.
Conclusion
Whether you’re working on a small garden or a large landscaping job, our Topsoil Calculator makes it easy to get your soil quantities right. Avoid inaccurate measurements, wasted deliveries, and disappointing results calculate smartly and plant confidently.
From Compost Soil Improvers to Rain Garden Soil, and from soil density to moisture content, we’ve got you covered. Try our calculator now and make your project greener, cleaner, and more cost-effective.