How much topsoil do I need?
Estimate topsoil volume in cubic feet and cubic yards for garden beds, lawns, and landscaping projects.
Topsoil calculator
Choosing the Right Topsoil
Topsoil quality varies significantly between suppliers. The right topsoil should have good texture, organic content, and the correct pH for what you plan to grow.
Screened Topsoil: Passed through a screen to remove rocks, roots, and debris. Provides a consistent, workable texture ideal for vegetable gardens, flower beds, and new lawns. Look for 1/2-inch or 3/8-inch screened material.
Organic Topsoil: Enriched with compost or other organic matter to improve fertility and moisture retention. Best for vegetable gardens, raised beds, and areas where plants need nutrient-rich soil. May settle more as organics decompose.
Fill Dirt / Subsoil: Lower-quality soil from below the topsoil layer. Contains less organic matter and more clay or sand. Used for grading, leveling, and filling large depressions. Not suitable for planting without amendment.
Lawn Soil / Turf Mix: A blend of topsoil, sand, and compost designed specifically for establishing new lawns. Provides good drainage and a fine texture that grass roots can penetrate easily.
Topsoil Type Cheat Sheet
Use this reference to pick the right soil for your project:
| Type | Best For | Organic Content |
|---|---|---|
| Screened Topsoil | Flower beds, vegetable gardens, new lawns, general planting | Moderate (3–5%) |
| Organic Topsoil | Vegetable gardens, raised beds, nutrient-demanding plants | High (5–10%) |
| Fill Dirt | Grading, leveling, filling depressions, backfilling | Low (under 2%) |
| Lawn Soil / Turf Mix | New lawns, overseeding, top-dressing existing turf | Moderate (3–5%) |
Topsoil depth recommendations
- New garden beds: 6-12 inches of topsoil for deep-rooted plants
- Lawn establishment: 4-6 inches over existing subsoil
- Rejuvenating existing beds: 2-3 inches worked into existing soil
- Raised beds: 12-18 inches for most vegetables
One cubic yard of topsoil covers about 100 square feet at 3 inches deep. Purchase screened topsoil for best results as it is free of rocks and debris.
Worked example
For example, for a 12×10 ft raised garden bed, 6 inches deep:
- Area = 12 × 10 = 120 sq ft
- Volume = 120 × (6 ÷ 12) = 60 cu ft
- Cubic yards = 60 ÷ 27 = 2.22 yd³
- Order 2.5 yd³ to account for settling after watering
- Mix in 2-3 inches of compost or amended soil for best growing results
Common mistakes
| Mistake | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Buying poor-quality topsoil | Screened topsoil should be dark, crumbly, and free of debris — inspect before buying |
| Not testing soil pH first | Most vegetables need pH 6.0-7.0 — get a $10 test kit before adding amendments |
| Filling beds too high | Leave 1-2 inches below the bed rim to prevent soil washing out in rain |