Topsoil Calculator – Cubic Yards, Bags, Cost & Coverage
Free topsoil calculator — enter area and depth to find cubic yards, bags needed, and cost. Covers 40 lb bag conversions, bulk vs bagged topsoil, and delivery cost per yard
Topsoil Calculator: Cubic Yards, Bags, Coverage & Cost Guide
Use this free topsoil calculator to find exactly how much topsoil you need — cubic yards, 40 lb bag count, and bulk vs bagged cost — for any lawn, garden, or landscaping project.
Cubic Yards of Topsoil Needed
—
With Waste Factor
Recommended order qty
Area Covered
sq ft
40 lb Bags Needed
0.75 ft³ per bag · 36/CY
2 cu ft Bags Needed
2.0 ft³ per bag · ~14/CY
Bulk Cost Estimate
at avg $40/CY delivered
Bagged Cost Estimate
40 lb bags at $5.75/bag
Coverage at all depths — your area
Delivery volumes vary — 1 cubic yard fits in most standard pickup truck beds (level full). 5 cubic yards is a typical small delivery load. 10 cubic yards fills a large driveway area.
A standard 40 lb bag of topsoil (Scotts, store brands) contains 0.75 cubic feet. Coverage area depends entirely on how deep you spread the topsoil — thinner spreads cover more area per bag.
Bulk topsoil is dramatically cheaper per cubic yard than bagged topsoil for orders over 1–2 CY. The break-even point for most regions is around 1–1.5 cubic yards — above this, bulk delivery is almost always the better value.
How Much Topsoil Do I Need — Cubic Yards Calculator Guide
This free topsoil calculator answers the most common landscaping question: how much topsoil do I need? The amount depends on your area's length, width, and the desired depth. The formula is straightforward:
Worked Examples
- Small garden bed (10 × 10 ft, 4" deep): 10 × 10 × 4 ÷ 324 = 1.23 CY = 45 bags (40 lb)
- Medium lawn topdress (50 × 40 ft, 1" deep): 50 × 40 × 1 ÷ 324 = 6.17 CY = 222 bags
- Backyard fill (30 × 20 ft, 6" deep): 30 × 20 × 6 ÷ 324 = 11.11 CY → order bulk delivery
Depth guide by application
- 1" depth: Topdressing an existing lawn — thin layer for levelling and overseeding
- 2" depth: Light lawn renovation, raised bed topping
- 3–4" depth: New lawn installation, garden bed preparation
- 6" depth: Significant grade correction or new planting area fill
| Area | 1" depth | 2" depth | 3" depth | 4" depth | 6" depth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 sq ft | 0.31 CY | 0.62 CY | 0.93 CY | 1.23 CY | 1.85 CY |
| 200 sq ft | 0.62 CY | 1.23 CY | 1.85 CY | 2.47 CY | 3.70 CY |
| 500 sq ft | 1.54 CY | 3.09 CY | 4.63 CY | 6.17 CY | 9.26 CY |
| 1,000 sq ft | 3.09 CY | 6.17 CY | 9.26 CY | 12.35 CY | 18.52 CY |
| 2,000 sq ft | 6.17 CY | 12.35 CY | 18.52 CY | 24.69 CY | 37.04 CY |
| 5,000 sq ft | 15.43 CY | 30.86 CY | 46.30 CY | 61.73 CY | 92.59 CY |
40 lb Bag of Topsoil — Cubic Feet, Coverage & Bags Per Cubic Yard
The most commonly searched topsoil conversion question is how many cubic feet in a 40 lb bag of topsoil. Here is the definitive answer with all related conversions.
Verification: 36 bags × 0.75 ft³ = 27 ft³ = 1 cubic yard ✔ | 1 CY at 1" depth: 27 × 12 = 324 sq ft ✔
| Bag size | Cu ft per bag | Bags per CY | Bags per ½ CY | Bags per 2 CY |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 40 lb topsoil | 0.75 ft³ | 36 bags | 18 bags | 72 bags |
| 2 cu ft bag | 2.0 ft³ | 14 bags | 7 bags | 27 bags |
| 1 cu ft bag | 1.0 ft³ | 27 bags | 14 bags | 54 bags |
| 1.5 cu ft bag | 1.5 ft³ | 18 bags | 9 bags | 36 bags |
| Area | 1" depth | 2" depth | 3" depth | 4" depth |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 sq ft | 12 bags | 23 bags | 34 bags | 45 bags |
| 200 sq ft | 23 bags | 45 bags | 67 bags | 89 bags |
| 500 sq ft | 56 bags | 112 bags | 167 bags | 223 bags |
| 1,000 sq ft | 112 bags | 223 bags | 334 bags | 445 bags |
A 40 lb bag of topsoil from major brands (Scotts Premium, store brands at Home Depot and Lowe's) contains 0.75 cubic feet — printed on the product label. Note: some 40 lb bags of garden soil or potting mix are 1.0 cubic feet — but for topsoil specifically, 0.75 ft³ per 40 lb bag is the standard.
How Much Does Topsoil Cost — Price Per Yard and Bulk vs Bagged Guide
| CY | Bulk (avg $40/CY) | Bagged (36 × $5.75) | Savings with Bulk |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 CY | $40 | $207 | $167 |
| 2 CY | $80 | $414 | $334 |
| 3 CY | $120 | $621 | $501 |
| 5 CY | $200 | $1,035 | $835 |
| 10 CY | $400 | $2,070 | $1,670 |
| 20 CY | $800 | $4,140 | $3,340 |
| Region | Price per CY | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| South (TX, FL, LA, GA) | $20–$40 | Below national average |
| Midwest (OH, IN, MN, KS) | $25–$45 | Near national average |
| Northeast (NY, NJ, MA, CT) | $35–$65 | Above average |
| West Coast (CA, OR, WA) | $40–$70 | High labour and fuel costs |
| Canada | C$45–$80 | Varies by province |
For areas under 1–1.5 cubic yards (approximately 32–50 bags), bagged topsoil is convenient — no delivery fees, no minimum order, available same-day at any home improvement store. For any project over 2 cubic yards, bulk delivery saves significant money — at $40/CY delivered vs $207/CY for bagged, you save over $160 per cubic yard. For large projects (5+ CY), always call 2–3 local landscape supply companies for quotes.
For half a yard of soil: approximately $12–$28 for the topsoil — but most suppliers require a minimum order of 2–5 CY for bulk delivery. For half a yard, buy bagged topsoil from a home improvement store.
Scotts Topsoil — 40 lb Bag Specs and 75 Cubic Feet Bundle Guide
75 Cubic Feet Bundle (Home Depot Pallet)
Home Depot and some Lowe's stores sell topsoil in full pallet bundles. A common bundle size is 75 cubic feet of topsoil.
This page does not provide editorial reviews of Scotts topsoil or other brands. For Scotts topsoil reviews and comparison ratings, visit the product pages at homedepot.com or lowes.com where verified purchaser reviews are available.
Topsoil Delivery and Where to Buy Bulk Topsoil
Where to Buy Topsoil
- Home improvement stores (Home Depot, Lowe's, Menards): bags of topsoil in 40 lb and 2 cu ft sizes. Best for small areas under 1–2 CY. No delivery minimum.
- Landscape supply companies: bulk topsoil by the cubic yard, delivered. Typically $25–$55/CY. Search "bulk topsoil near me" or "landscape supply [your city]."
- Garden centres and nurseries: premium screened topsoil and blended products. Often slightly more expensive but higher quality.
- Online bulk delivery platforms: available in some markets for convenient ordering.
Topsoil Delivery Guide
Types of Topsoil
- Standard topsoil: basic fill, may contain clay or sand, lowest price
- Screened topsoil: sifted to remove rocks and debris, better for lawns
- Premium blended topsoil: topsoil mixed with compost or peat moss, best for gardens and lawn renovation — includes "topsoil and peat moss" blends
Topsoil for Sod, Lawn, and Landscaping — Depth Guide by Application
Quick depth guide: Lawn topdressing: ¼"–½" | New sod base: 4–6" | Overseeding: 2–4" | Garden beds: 3–4" | Backyard levelling: 4–8"
| Application | Depth | CY (1,000 sq ft) | 40 lb Bags |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lawn topdressing | 1" | 3.09 CY | 112 bags |
| Overseeding prep | 2" | 6.17 CY | 223 bags |
| Sod base prep | 4" | 12.35 CY | 445 bags |
| Garden bed prep | 3" | 9.26 CY | 334 bags |
| Backyard grading | 6" | 18.52 CY | 667 bags |
Weed-free topsoil is screened and sometimes treated topsoil processed to reduce weed seed presence. For lawn installation and sod beds, weed-free or low-weed topsoil is worth the slight price premium — regular bulk topsoil often contains dormant weed seeds that germinate in the first season.
Best topsoil for sod: Use screened topsoil or a topsoil-compost blend at 4–6 inches deep. Till the top layer of existing soil, add your topsoil depth, level carefully, then lay sod immediately to prevent the prepared surface from drying or eroding.
Topsoil Calculator — Frequently Asked Questions
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This free topsoil calculator covers everything you need for any topsoil project — cubic yards from area and depth, 40 lb bag equivalents, Scotts product specs, 75 cu ft bundle conversions, bulk vs bagged cost comparison, topsoil delivery guide, depth recommendations for sod, lawn, and garden applications, and regional pricing. Use the free Topsoil Calculator above — enter your area and depth for your cubic yard count, bag total, and cost estimate instantly. All calculators on everycalcpro.com are 100% free.