Topsoil Calculator
Calculate topsoil needs for gardens, lawns, and landscaping. Instant estimates in cubic feet, cubic yards, and bags with waste factor included.
About Topsoil Calculator
Our free Topsoil Calculator helps gardeners, landscapers, and homeowners accurately estimate the amount of topsoil needed for gardens, lawns, landscaping projects, and raised beds. Simply enter your project dimensions and desired soil depth to get instant calculations for topsoil volume in cubic feet, cubic yards, and bags. This tool eliminates the guesswork when ordering soil for your gardening projects.
This calculator supports imperial measurements (feet and inches) and provides results in both cubic yards (for bulk orders) and bags (assuming standard 2 cubic foot bags). It accounts for common settling and compaction by including a 10% waste factor recommendation. The tool works entirely in your browser with no data sent to servers, ensuring your project details remain private and calculations are instant.
Perfect for home gardeners, landscapers, and DIY enthusiasts planning new gardens, lawn renovations, raised bed construction, or landscaping projects. Use it for vegetable gardens, flower beds, lawn topdressing, fill dirt needs, and any project requiring topsoil or fill material. Results help you order the right amount from suppliers - preventing both costly over-ordering and project-stopping shortages.
How to Use
- Measure the length and width of your garden or project area in feet
- Enter the desired topsoil depth in inches (typically 3-6 inches for gardens)
- Click the "Calculate Topsoil Needed" button
- Review results showing cubic feet, cubic yards, and bag requirements
- Add 10% extra for settling and compaction (automatically calculated)
Frequently Asked Questions
How deep should topsoil be for a garden?
For most vegetable gardens, 6-12 inches of topsoil is recommended. For lawns, 3-6 inches is sufficient. Raised beds typically need 8-12 inches. Deeper soil allows for better root growth and healthier plants.
How many bags of topsoil do I need?
Our calculator assumes standard 2 cubic foot bags. One cubic yard equals about 13.5 bags. For larger projects, ordering bulk topsoil by the cubic yard is usually more cost-effective than buying bags.
Should I account for settling?
Yes! Topsoil settles over time due to compaction and organic matter decomposition. We recommend adding 10% extra to your calculations, which is automatically included in our results. This ensures you have enough material.
What's the difference between topsoil and garden soil?
Topsoil is the upper layer of earth, while garden soil is topsoil mixed with compost and organic matter. Garden soil is richer and better for planting, while topsoil is better for filling and leveling. This calculator works for both materials.
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Features
- 100% Free
- No registration required
- Fast processing
- Secure & private