Soil Calculator

What is a Soil Calculator?

A soil calculator helps you determine exactly how much soil, topsoil, garden soil, or compost you need for your gardening or landscaping project. By entering the area dimensions and desired depth, our calculator instantly provides the volume in cubic feet, cubic yards, and cubic meters, along with the estimated weight in pounds and tons. Whether you are filling a new garden bed, topdressing a lawn, or preparing a large landscaping project, knowing the right amount of soil saves you time and money.

Our soil calculator also supports cost estimation. Simply enter the price per cubic yard or per ton, and the calculator will show you the total cost of the soil you need. The calculator also tells you how many standard bag sizes (0.75 ft³ and 1.5 ft³) you would need, which is helpful when buying bagged soil from garden centers.

If you are working on specific projects, check out our specialized Raised Bed Soil Calculator for raised garden beds and our Potting Soil Calculator for container gardening.

How to Calculate How Much Soil You Need

To estimate the amount of soil required for your project:

Measure the area: Determine the length and width of the area you want to cover. For rectangular areas, multiply length by width to get the square footage.
Determine the depth: Decide how deep you want the soil layer. A typical depth for a vegetable garden is 6-12 inches, while lawn topdressing may only need 1-2 inches.
Calculate the volume: Multiply the area by the depth to get the volume in cubic feet. Convert to cubic yards by dividing by 27 (since 1 cubic yard = 27 cubic feet).
Account for soil density: Different soil types have different densities. Our calculator provides presets for common soil types including topsoil (100 lb/ft³), garden soil (90 lb/ft³), compost (75 lb/ft³), and potting mix (40 lb/ft³).

The formula used is:

Volume (ft³) = Length (ft) × Width (ft) × Depth (ft)
Volume (yd³) = Volume (ft³) / 27
Weight (lbs) = Volume (ft³) × Density (lb/ft³)
Weight (tons) = Weight (lbs) / 2000

For example, a garden bed measuring 14 ft by 4 ft with 6 inches of topsoil (density 100 lb/ft³) requires 28 ft³ (1.04 yd³) of soil, weighing approximately 2,800 lbs (1.4 tons).

Types of Soil and Their Typical Densities

Soil Type	Density (lb/ft³)	Weight per yd³	Best Uses
Topsoil	100	~2,700 lbs	Lawns, gardens, raised beds
Garden Soil	90	~2,430 lbs	Flower beds, vegetable gardens
Compost	75	~2,025 lbs	Soil amendment, topdressing
Potting Mix	40	~1,080 lbs	Containers, hanging baskets
Sandy Soil	110	~2,970 lbs	Well-draining gardens, cacti
Silty Soil	80	~2,160 lbs	Moisture-retentive gardens

Tips for Buying Soil

Buy in bulk vs. bags: For projects requiring more than 1-2 cubic yards, buying soil in bulk (by the cubic yard) is usually more cost-effective than buying individual bags. For small projects, bagged soil from garden centers is more convenient.
Check soil quality: Good topsoil should be dark, crumbly, and free of large rocks, debris, and weed seeds. Ask your supplier for a soil analysis or test it yourself.
Account for settling: Soil settles over time. Consider adding an extra 10-15% to account for compaction and settling, especially when filling raised beds.
Delivery costs: When ordering bulk soil, factor in delivery fees. Some suppliers offer free delivery for orders over a certain volume.
Amend as needed: Depending on your existing soil and what you are planting, you may need to mix in compost, peat moss, perlite, or other amendments. Our Compost Calculator can help you determine how much compost to add.

Common Soil Depth Recommendations

Lawn topdressing: 1/4 to 1/2 inch
New lawn (topsoil): 4-6 inches
Vegetable garden: 6-12 inches
Raised garden beds: 12-18 inches
Flower beds: 6-10 inches
Tree planting: 2-3 feet (in the planting hole)

Frequently Asked Questions

How much soil do I need for my garden?

To determine how much soil you need, measure the length and width of your garden area in feet, decide the desired depth in inches, then use our soil calculator. As a general rule, a 100 ft² garden bed with 6 inches of soil requires about 50 ft³ (1.85 yd³) of soil. This weighs approximately 5,000 lbs (2.5 tons) for standard topsoil.

How many cubic feet are in a cubic yard of soil?

There are 27 cubic feet in 1 cubic yard of soil. This is because 1 yard equals 3 feet, so 1 cubic yard = 3 ft × 3 ft × 3 ft = 27 ft³. When buying soil in bulk, it is typically sold by the cubic yard. Bagged soil is usually sold in 0.75 ft³ or 1.5 ft³ bags.

How much does a cubic yard of topsoil weigh?

A cubic yard of dry topsoil typically weighs about 2,100 to 2,700 pounds (1.05 to 1.35 tons). Wet topsoil can weigh significantly more, up to 3,000 pounds per cubic yard. The exact weight depends on the soil composition, moisture content, and compaction level. Our calculator uses 100 lb/ft³ as the default density for topsoil, which equals 2,700 lbs per cubic yard.

How many bags of topsoil do I need per cubic yard?

For a cubic yard (27 ft³), you would need approximately 36 bags of 0.75 ft³ topsoil (the standard bag size at many garden centers), or 18 bags of 1.5 ft³ topsoil. Our soil calculator shows both bag counts automatically based on your calculated volume.

What is the difference between topsoil and garden soil?

Topsoil is the naturally occurring upper layer of soil, typically rich in organic matter and microorganisms. It is the base material used for lawns and large garden areas. Garden soil is a manufactured product that blends topsoil with compost, peat moss, sand, and other amendments to create an optimized growing medium for specific types of plants. Garden soil is generally lighter and more nutrient-rich than plain topsoil but also more expensive.

Should I buy soil in bulk or in bags?

For projects requiring more than 1-2 cubic yards, bulk soil is almost always more cost-effective. Bulk soil costs $10-30 per cubic yard, while bagged soil costs $3-8 per 0.75 ft³ bag (equivalent to $108-288 per cubic yard). However, bagged soil is more convenient for small projects, easier to transport, and often of more consistent quality. Consider delivery costs and accessibility when making your decision.

How do I calculate soil volume for irregular shapes?

For irregularly shaped areas, divide the area into smaller rectangles or simple geometric shapes, calculate the volume for each section, and add them together. Alternatively, use an online area calculator or mapping tool to determine the total square footage, then multiply by the desired depth. For circular areas, multiply π (3.14159) by the radius squared, then by the depth.

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