CalculationTime

Topsoil Calculator

Estimate topsoil volume from length, width and depth, with cubic-yard, cubic-foot, cubic-metre, litre, bag and bulk-order checks plus a printable garden or landscaping job note.

Live math canvas

Your numbers, formula and explanation together

Topsoil Calculator: 114 cubic yards with bag, cubic-foot, cubic-metre and cost checks. Topsoil Calculator uses the declared inputs to produce a transparent default result. Area length: 20 ft; Area width: 10 ft; Topsoil depth: 4 in; Settlement / ordering allowance: 10 %; primary comparison: 20 and 10.

Formula applied

The exact method behind this answer

CalculationTime keeps the method visible so the number can be checked instead of blindly trusted.

Area square feet = length feet × width feet. Depth feet = depth inches ÷ 12. Base volume cubic feet = area × depth feet. Cubic yards = cubic feet ÷ 27. Order volume = base volume × (1 + allowance percent ÷ 100). Cubic metres = cubic yards × 0.764554857984. Litres = cubic metres × 1000. Bags = ceiling(litres ÷ bag size litres).
  1. Apply the formulaArea square feet = length feet × width feet. Depth feet = depth inches ÷ 12. Base volume cubic feet = area × depth feet. Cubic yards = cubic feet ÷ 27. Order volume = base volume × (1 + allowance percent ÷ 100). Cubic metres = cubic yards × 0.764554857984. Litres = cubic metres × 1000. Bags = ceiling(litres ÷ bag size litres).114 cubic yards with bag, cubic-foot, cubic-metre and cost checksTopsoil Calculator uses the declared inputs to produce a transparent default result. Area length: 20 ft; Area width: 10 ft; Topsoil depth: 4 in; Settlement / ordering allowance: 10 %; primary comparison: 20 and 10.

Your live breakdown

Current inputs in the calculation

These values come from the controls above and update when the calculator changes.

Area length
20 ft
Measure the longest side of the bed, lawn patch or raised area in feet.
Area width
10 ft
Measure the average width in feet. For irregular beds, use a sensible average and write a note on the printout.
Topsoil depth
4 in
Enter the planned spread depth. Common top-dressing jobs may be shallow; new beds often need more.
Settlement / ordering allowance
10 %
Optional allowance for settling, uneven ground, spillage and ordering margin.
Bag size
25 L
Use the size printed on the bag if buying bagged topsoil.
Bulk price
45 $/yd³
Optional supplier price for a rough bulk-order cost note.

Resulting answer

114 cubic yards with bag, cubic-foot, cubic-metre and cost checks

Topsoil Calculator uses the declared inputs to produce a transparent default result. Area length: 20 ft; Area width: 10 ft; Topsoil depth: 4 in; Settlement / ordering allowance: 10 %; primary comparison: 20 and 10.

Answer
114 cubic yards with bag, cubic-foot, cubic-metre and cost checks
Live support
Topsoil Calculator uses the declared inputs to produce a transparent default result. Area length: 20 ft; Area width: 10 ft; Topsoil depth: 4 in; Settlement / ordering allowance: 10 %; primary comparison: 20 and 10.

Assumptions used

What this answer assumes

Best for garden beds, lawn repairs, raised beds, landscape quotes, bagged-soil shopping, bulk-delivery calls and classroom volume worksheets where the depth and allowance need to stay auditable.

  • The calculator treats the entered area as a rectangle or an averaged rectangular equivalent for planning purposes.
  • Depth is entered in inches and converted to feet before volume is calculated.
  • The allowance is shown separately so settling, uneven ground and ordering margin do not hide the measured soil requirement.
  • Bag count is rounded up to whole bags using the entered litre size; real bag fill, moisture and compaction can vary.
  • This is a homeowner and landscaping estimate, not a geotechnical, drainage, structural or certified material specification.

Master’s Tip

How to use the result well

Master’s Tip: keep depth honest. A one-inch change over a large lawn or garden bed can add several cubic yards, so print the planned depth, allowance and supplier unit before ordering.

Printable record

What belongs in the saved calculation

Save the inputs, result, formula, assumptions, page URL and date together so the calculation can be reviewed later.

Area length
20 ft
Measure the longest side of the bed, lawn patch or raised area in feet.
Area width
10 ft
Measure the average width in feet. For irregular beds, use a sensible average and write a note on the printout.
Topsoil depth
4 in
Enter the planned spread depth. Common top-dressing jobs may be shallow; new beds often need more.
Settlement / ordering allowance
10 %
Optional allowance for settling, uneven ground, spillage and ordering margin.

Embeddable calculator

Embed this calculator

Copy a clean iframe version with the required CalculationTime attribution link built in.

Formula

Area square feet = length feet × width feet. Depth feet = depth inches ÷ 12. Base volume cubic feet = area × depth feet. Cubic yards = cubic feet ÷ 27. Order volume = base volume × (1 + allowance percent ÷ 100). Cubic metres = cubic yards × 0.764554857984. Litres = cubic metres × 1000. Bags = ceiling(litres ÷ bag size litres).

Worked example

For a 20 ft by 10 ft bed at 4 inches deep, area = 200 ft² and depth = 4 ÷ 12 = 0.3333 ft. Base volume = 66.67 ft³, which is 66.67 ÷ 27 = 2.47 yd³. With a 10% allowance, the order volume is about 2.72 yd³.

Professional note

Master’s Tip: keep depth honest. A one-inch change over a large lawn or garden bed can add several cubic yards, so print the planned depth, allowance and supplier unit before ordering.

Regional and unit assumptions

Standard or basis: ordinary rectangular volume arithmetic with 27 cubic feet per cubic yard and 1 cubic yard ≈ 0.764554857984 cubic metres. Confirm soil type, delivery minimums, compaction, local contamination rules and horticultural needs with the supplier or a qualified professional where they matter.

Assumptions and limitations

Methodology & Accuracy

How this calculator is checked

CalculationTime pages are built around visible arithmetic: the formula, assumptions, worked example and practical limitations are shown so the result can be checked rather than simply trusted.

Formula used

Area square feet = length feet × width feet. Depth feet = depth inches ÷ 12. Base volume cubic feet = area × depth feet. Cubic yards = cubic feet ÷ 27. Order volume = base volume × (1 + allowance percent ÷ 100). Cubic metres = cubic yards × 0.764554857984. Litres = cubic metres × 1000. Bags = ceiling(litres ÷ bag size litres).

Standard or basis

Standard or basis: ordinary rectangular volume arithmetic with 27 cubic feet per cubic yard and 1 cubic yard ≈ 0.764554857984 cubic metres. Confirm soil type, delivery minimums, compaction, local contamination rules and horticultural needs with the supplier or a qualified professional where they matter.

Where a calculator follows a named legal, trade or industry standard, that standard is cited visibly. Otherwise the page uses transparent general arithmetic and states its limits.

Master's Tip

Master’s Tip: keep depth honest. A one-inch change over a large lawn or garden bed can add several cubic yards, so print the planned depth, allowance and supplier unit before ordering.

Related calculators

These cards are resolved from calculator data, category context and live-route status so the page links to useful next steps without hand-built link clutter.

Trade & ConstructionMulch CalculatorEstimate mulch volume from bed length, width, depth, allowance and bag size, with cubic metres, litres and bag counts shown together.Open calculatorTrade & ConstructionGravel CalculatorEstimate gravel volume and approximate weight from area, depth, waste allowance and bulk density, with a printable landscaping or driveway quote note.Open calculatorTrade & ConstructionCubic Yards CalculatorCalculate cubic yards from length, width and depth in feet and inches, with measured cubic feet, cubic metres, ordering allowance, rounded order quantity and a printable concrete, gravel, soil, mulch or classroom job note.Open calculatorHome, Trade & ConstructionLandscape CalculatorRelated by the calculator definition.Under constructionTradesSquare Footage CalculatorCalculate square feet, square yards and square metres from length and width, with a practical waste allowance for flooring, decking, sheet goods and room measurements.Open calculatorMath & MeasurementArea CalculatorCalculate rectangular area from length and width, with measured area, planning allowance, unit-basis notes and a printable quote, classroom or job record.Open calculator

Questions

How do I calculate how much topsoil I need?

Multiply length by width to get square feet, convert the depth from inches to feet, multiply area by depth for cubic feet, then divide by 27 for cubic yards.

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

There are 27 cubic feet in 1 cubic yard because 1 yard is 3 feet and 3 × 3 × 3 = 27.

Should I add extra topsoil for settling?

Often yes. A separate allowance helps cover settling, uneven ground, spillage and ordering margin. The exact extra depends on the site and supplier.

Can I use this for an irregular garden bed?

Yes for a planning estimate if you enter an average length and width or split the bed into smaller rectangles. Write the method in the printed notes.

What should I print for a topsoil order record?

Print the area, planned depth, base cubic yards, allowance, order volume, bag count or bulk price, formula, assumptions, page URL, date and job notes.

Calculation note

Topsoil ordering is a volume problem, but real sites are rarely perfect boxes. A useful record keeps the simple rectangular math visible while naming the practical allowance for settlement, uneven ground and supplier rounding.

Depth drives the order

Length and width are easy to see on site, but depth quietly controls the final volume. Doubling the spread depth doubles the soil requirement.

Bulk yards and bags answer different shopping questions

Landscapers often talk in cubic yards, while garden centres sell many bagged soils by litres. Showing both keeps the same calculation useful for delivery quotes and weekend shop runs.

A printed job note prevents re-measuring

A topsoil printout with dimensions, depth, allowance, price and notes helps a homeowner, gardener or contractor check what was ordered and why.

Sources and further readingNIST Handbook 44 Appendix C — General Tables of Units of MeasurementBIPM — The International System of UnitsUniversity of Georgia Extension — soil preparation and landscape planting guidance