Soil Calculator
Calculate cubic yards of topsoil or fill for a bed or lawn from length, width and depth.
How it works
cubic yards = length × width × (depth ÷ 12) ÷ 27 · cubic metres = cubic yards × 0.7646
Soil volume is the box formula: length times width times depth, with depth converted from inches to feet, divided by 27 to get cubic yards (27 cubic feet make a yard). Multiplying cubic yards by 0.7646 converts to cubic metres for suppliers that sell metric. Bulk soil is almost always cheaper by the yard than by the bag once you pass a yard or two.
Worked example
A 20 × 10 ft bed filled 6 in deep: 20 × 10 × (6 ÷ 12) = 100 ft³, ÷ 27 = 3.70 cubic yards (about 2.83 m³). Order roughly 4.07 yards to allow for settling.
Frequently asked questions
How deep should topsoil be?
Aim for 4–6 in of quality topsoil for a new lawn and 8–12 in for vegetable and planting beds so roots have room. A thin skim over compacted subsoil grows a thin, struggling plant, so depth here pays off for seasons to come.
What is the difference between topsoil and fill dirt?
Topsoil is the fertile upper layer with organic matter for growing; fill dirt is cheaper subsoil used to raise grade or backfill, where growing does not matter. Do not pay topsoil prices to fill a hole.
Why order extra for settling?
Freshly delivered soil is loose and fluffy; after watering and a few weeks it compacts and drops noticeably below the level you first raked. Ordering about 10% extra lets you top off rather than reorder a small, pricey load.
Related calculators
Estimate for planning. Add a waste margin and confirm with your supplier and local codes.