Materials calculator · topsoil v1.1

Topsoil Calculator

Calculate geometric soil volume first, then see settlement allowance, practical bulk order, bag equivalent, indicative weight range and cost options separately.

No signup Formula shown Editable assumptions US planning estimate

Step 1

Project details

Choose the project context, measure the area, sanity-check the live project preview and set the soil depth. Suggested depths are editable starting points, not hidden assumptions.

Project type

Units

Project measurement

Depth (in)Suggested starting depth — change to match your project.

Ordering & pricing

Settlement / compaction allowance (%) Bulk price / yd³ (optional) Delivery fee (optional) Bag price (optional)

Advanced assumptions

Bulk order increment (yd³) Bag volume (ft³) Low density (kg/m³) High density (kg/m³)

Step 2

Your estimate

Review the geometric volume, settlement allowance and practical purchase options independently.

Recommended bulk ordercubic yards

Quantity breakdown

Confirmed project geometry

Depth comparison

Depth	Raw	Adjusted	Bulk order	Bags	Bulk cost	Bag cost

Assumptions & limitations

Calculation methodology and sources

Calculation details

Formula

Area × soil depth = geometric topsoil volume.
Settlement / compaction allowance is applied after that geometric volume, then bulk ordering and bag conversion are calculated separately.

Topsoil calculator FAQs

How much topsoil do I need?

Enter the project area and the finished soil depth. The calculator works out geometric volume, applies the editable settlement or compaction allowance and then rounds the bulk order to the selected supplier increment.

How much area does one cubic yard of topsoil cover?

Purely by geometry, one cubic yard covers about 324 ft² at 1 inch deep, 162 ft² at 2 inches, 108 ft² at 3 inches and 81 ft² at 4 inches. Any settlement allowance is additional to those geometric quantities.

How deep should the topsoil be?

That depends on the project. The project-type depths in the calculator are editable starting points, not design requirements. Use the finished depth required for your lawn, bed, fill or other project.

Why does the calculator include a settlement or compaction allowance?

Placed soil can settle or compact after delivery and spreading. The allowance is kept separate from the geometric volume so you can see it clearly and change it to suit the material, supplier or project.

How much does a cubic yard of topsoil weigh?

Topsoil weight varies significantly with moisture, organic content and composition. The calculator therefore shows an indicative weight range rather than one fixed conversion; use supplier information when haul weight or vehicle capacity matters.