Topsoil Calculator Square Feet

Topsoil Calculator (Square Feet)

Calculate exactly how many cubic yards or bags of topsoil you need for your lawn or garden project.

0.75 cu ft (Standard) 0.40 cu ft (Small) 1.0 cu ft (Large) 2.0 cu ft (Extra Large)

Your Project Requirements:

Total Area: 0 sq ft

Volume in Cubic Yards: 0 cu yd

Volume in Cubic Feet: 0 cu ft

Number of Bags Needed: 0 bags

*Note: It is always recommended to order 10% extra to account for settling and uneven terrain.

function calculateTopsoil() { var length = parseFloat(document.getElementById('calcLength').value); var width = parseFloat(document.getElementById('calcWidth').value); var depthInches = parseFloat(document.getElementById('calcDepth').value); var bagVolume = parseFloat(document.getElementById('bagSize').value); if (isNaN(length) || isNaN(width) || isNaN(depthInches) || length <= 0 || width <= 0 || depthInches <= 0) { alert("Please enter valid positive numbers for all fields."); return; } var areaSqFt = length * width; var depthFeet = depthInches / 12; var totalCuFt = areaSqFt * depthFeet; var totalCuYds = totalCuFt / 27; var bagsNeeded = Math.ceil(totalCuFt / bagVolume); document.getElementById('resArea').innerText = areaSqFt.toLocaleString() + " sq ft"; document.getElementById('resYards').innerText = totalCuYds.toFixed(2) + " cubic yards"; document.getElementById('resFeet').innerText = totalCuFt.toFixed(2) + " cubic feet"; document.getElementById('resBags').innerText = bagsNeeded.toLocaleString() + " bags (" + bagVolume + " cu ft each)"; document.getElementById('topsoilResults').style.display = 'block'; }

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How to Calculate Topsoil Coverage

Calculating the amount of topsoil needed for a landscape project is critical to stay within budget and ensure plant health. Topsoil is usually sold by the cubic yard (for bulk delivery) or by the bag (for smaller projects).

The Topsoil Formula

To calculate topsoil volume manually, use the following steps:

1. Measure the Area: Multiply the length by the width to get the total square footage (L × W = Sq. Ft.).
2. Determine Depth: Decide how deep you want the soil (usually 2 to 6 inches). Convert this to feet by dividing by 12.
3. Calculate Cubic Feet: Multiply the Square Feet by the Depth in feet.
4. Convert to Cubic Yards: Since there are 27 cubic feet in a cubic yard, divide your total cubic feet by 27.

Recommended Topsoil Depths

Project Type	Recommended Depth
New Lawn (Seeding)	4 – 6 Inches
Lawn Top-Dressing	1/4 to 1/2 Inch
Flower Beds	6 – 12 Inches
Vegetable Gardens	12 – 18 Inches

Topsoil Calculation Example

Imagine you have a garden bed that is 20 feet long and 10 feet wide, and you want to fill it with 4 inches of fresh topsoil.

• Area: 20 ft × 10 ft = 200 sq ft.
• Depth in Feet: 4 inches / 12 = 0.333 ft.
• Total Volume: 200 sq ft × 0.333 ft = 66.6 cubic feet.
• Cubic Yards: 66.6 / 27 = 2.47 cubic yards.

Buying Tips

When purchasing topsoil, remember that soil compacts over time. It is a standard industry practice to order 10-15% more than your exact calculation. This accounts for air pockets being removed as you rake and level the soil, as well as natural settling after the first rain.

If you are buying bags, check the volume listed on the label. Most standard bags found at big-box retailers are 0.75 cubic feet, though premium soils may come in smaller 0.40 cubic feet bags or larger 2.0 cubic feet compressed bales.