Soil & Topsoil Calculators | Free Construction Calculators
Calculate soil volume, bags, weight, and costs
Topsoil Volume Calculator
Calculate soil volume needed
Topsoil Bags Calculator
Calculate bags of soil needed
Dirt Cost Calculator
Estimate soil project costs
Soil Weight Calculator
Calculate soil weight
About Soil & Topsoil Calculations
Quality topsoil is the foundation of successful landscaping, gardening, and lawn care projects. Accurate soil calculations ensure you have exactly the right amount of material for your project, preventing costly shortages and unnecessary waste. Whether you're establishing a new lawn, building raised garden beds, enhancing flower gardens, or improving existing soil conditions, our professional soil calculators help you determine the cubic yards needed, calculate material weights for delivery planning, estimate bag quantities for convenient purchasing, and project total costs including delivery fees. From residential gardens to large landscaping installations, precise soil calculations are essential for budget planning and project success.
Why Use Our Soil Calculators?
Accurate Volume Estimates
Calculate exact cubic yards or cubic feet of topsoil needed based on area dimensions and depth requirements.
Weight Calculations
Determine total weight for delivery truck capacity, vehicle load planning, and structural considerations.
Cost Estimation
Estimate total project costs including materials, delivery fees, and installation for accurate budget planning.
Bag Conversion
Quickly convert between bulk cubic yards and bagged soil quantities to compare purchasing options and costs.
Multiple Applications
Support for lawns, garden beds, raised beds, flower gardens, trees, and landscaping with appropriate depth recommendations.
Material Comparison
Compare topsoil, garden soil, fill dirt, and compost options with cost-benefit analysis for your specific project.
Common Soil Calculations
Topsoil Volume for Garden Beds
Calculate cubic yards needed for vegetable gardens, flower beds, and landscape improvements with 6-12 inch depth recommendations.
Lawn Establishment Soil
Determine topsoil volume for new lawns (4-6 inches) and top-dressing applications (1/4-1/2 inch) for existing grass.
Bagged Soil Quantities
Convert bulk cubic yards to convenient bag quantities for small projects, container gardening, and interior applications.
Soil Weight for Transport
Calculate total weight for delivery truck capacity, ensuring appropriate vehicle selection and delivery planning.
Raised Bed Soil Volume
Estimate soil volume for raised bed gardens with 12-18 inch depths for optimal root development and moisture retention.
Total Project Costs
Estimate complete costs including soil materials, delivery fees, soil amendments, and installation labor for budgeting.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much topsoil do I need for my garden beds?
Calculate area (length × width) in square feet, multiply by depth in feet. For a 10×20 ft garden bed at 8 inches deep: 200 sq ft × 0.67 ft = 134 cubic feet = 4.96 cubic yards. Recommended depths vary by application: vegetable gardens need 8-12 inches, flower beds need 6-8 inches, lawn top-dressing needs 1/4-1/2 inch. Always add 10-15% extra for settling. Use bulk delivery for yards needing more than 1 cubic yard, bagged soil for smaller areas.
How many bags of topsoil equal one cubic yard?
One cubic yard equals 27 cubic feet. For standard 1 cubic foot bags: you need 27 bags per cubic yard. For 2 cubic foot bags: 13-14 bags per yard. For 0.5 cubic foot bags: approximately 54 bags per yard. Bags are convenient for small projects but cost 3-5 times more than bulk delivery. Example: 1 yard bulk ($30-50) vs 27 bags at $3-5 each ($81-135). For projects over 2 cubic yards, bulk delivery is usually more economical.
How much does topsoil weigh per cubic yard?
Topsoil weighs approximately 2,000 lbs per cubic yard when dry. Wet topsoil weighs 20-30% more (2,400-2,600 lbs/yd³) depending on moisture content. Delivered soil is often partially wet. Total weight matters for truck capacity: standard pickup trucks hold 2-3 cubic yards (4,000-6,000 lbs), full-size dump trucks hold 10-16 cubic yards (20,000-32,000 lbs). One bag of topsoil (1 cu ft) weighs 40-50 lbs. Check local delivery limits and ensure proper vehicle capacity.
What depth of topsoil should I apply for lawns and gardens?
New lawns require 4-6 inches of quality topsoil for established root systems. Lawn top-dressing needs only 1/4-1/2 inch layer. Vegetable gardens require 8-12 inches minimum for root depth and nutrient retention. Flower beds need 6-8 inches of prepared soil. Raised beds require 12-18 inches depending on plants. Trees need 12-24 inches of quality soil in planting area. Always match depth to plant requirements and existing soil conditions. Deeper soil retains more moisture and nutrients.
What is the difference between topsoil and compost?
Topsoil is the upper layer of natural soil, nutrient-rich and suitable for planting. It typically contains 5-10% organic matter and provides good drainage. Compost is decomposed organic matter (leaves, grass, food waste) with 50-100% organic content. Compost adds nutrients and improves soil structure but shouldn't be used alone for planting. Best practice: blend topsoil with 25-50% compost for optimal growing medium. Pure compost can hold too much water; pure topsoil may lack nutrients. Many projects use 75% topsoil + 25% compost mixture.
How much does topsoil cost and what about delivery?
Bulk topsoil costs $20-50 per cubic yard depending on quality and location. Premium screened topsoil: $40-60/yard. Budget unscreened fill dirt: $15-25/yard. Delivery fees: $50-150 depending on distance and quantity. Minimum orders typically 3-5 cubic yards. Bagged topsoil: $3-6 per 1 cu ft bag ($81-162 per cubic yard equivalent). Free delivery sometimes available for orders over 10 yards. Comparison example: 5 yards bulk at $35/yard = $175 + $75 delivery = $250 total ($50/yard delivered). Always get delivery quotes from local suppliers.
Soil Preparation & Installation Tips
Prepare base area by removing debris, rocks, and old vegetation before adding topsoil. Test existing soil pH and nutrients before purchase to determine if amendments are needed. For garden beds, integrate new topsoil with existing soil through tilling for better cohesion and root penetration. For lawns, apply topsoil evenly and allow 2-4 weeks settling time before seeding. Add 10-15% extra topsoil to account for settling and compaction. For raised beds, ensure proper drainage by adding landscape fabric or drainage holes. Mix topsoil with compost (25-50%) to improve nutrient content and soil structure. Allow soil to settle and mellow for 1-2 weeks before planting heavy crops. Monitor moisture retention and add mulch layer (2-3 inches) to conserve water and regulate temperature.
Types of Soil Products
Topsoil
Upper layer of natural soil with 5-10% organic matter. Perfect for lawns, gardens, and planting. Contains nutrients and promotes root growth.
Garden Soil
Blended mix of topsoil and compost. Enriched with nutrients. Ideal for vegetable gardens, flower beds, and landscape improvements.
Fill Dirt
Subsoil for grading, leveling, and foundation work. Lower cost, not suitable for planting. Useful for filling low areas.
Compost
Decomposed organic matter (50-100% organic content). Soil amendment for nutrient enrichment. Mix with topsoil for optimal growing medium.
Potting Mix
Lightweight blend for containers and indoor plants. Contains peat or coco coir, perlite, and nutrients. Not suitable for outdoor gardens.
Screened Topsoil
Processed topsoil with rocks and debris removed. Premium quality for visible areas. More expensive than unscreened but cleaner finish.
Soil Quality Standards
Key Soil Properties
- Texture: Balance of sand, silt, and clay (loam ideal)
- Organic Matter: 5-10% organic content for nutrients
- pH Level: 6.0-7.0 for most plants (slightly acidic)
- Nutrient Content: Nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium levels
- Drainage: Proper water retention and permeability
Quality Checklist
- Use screened topsoil for landscape projects
- Test soil pH before large purchases
- Request documentation of nutrient levels
- Verify delivery of specified soil type
- Check for weed seeds and contaminants
- Avoid unscreened soil for finished areas
Soil Purchasing Guide
Bulk Delivery
- Sold by cubic yard
- Most economical for large areas (2+ yards)
- Minimum order typically 3-5 yards
- Requires truck access to yard
- Delivery fee $50-150 depending on distance
- Best for lawns, major garden projects
Bagged Soil
- Sold in cubic feet (0.5, 1, 2, 3 cu ft bags)
- Convenient for small projects (under 1 yard)
- Easy to transport and store
- More expensive per cubic yard
- Available at garden centers and home improvement stores
- Best for container gardens and spot improvements