Topsoil Calculator Yards

Topsoil Calculator: Cubic Yards & Cost Estimator .topsoil-calculator-container { font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; max-width: 800px; margin: 0 auto; padding: 20px; background-color: #f9fbf9; border: 1px solid #e0e0e0; border-radius: 8px; } .ts-calc-box { background: #ffffff; padding: 30px; border-radius: 8px; box-shadow: 0 4px 15px rgba(0,0,0,0.05); margin-bottom: 40px; border-top: 5px solid #4a7c59; } .ts-form-grid { display: grid; grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr; gap: 20px; } .ts-input-group { margin-bottom: 15px; } .ts-input-group label { display: block; font-weight: 600; margin-bottom: 8px; color: #333; } .ts-input-group input { width: 100%; padding: 12px; border: 1px solid #ccc; border-radius: 4px; font-size: 16px; box-sizing: border-box; } .ts-input-group input:focus { border-color: #4a7c59; outline: none; } .ts-full-width { grid-column: 1 / -1; } .ts-btn { background-color: #4a7c59; color: white; border: none; padding: 15px 30px; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; border-radius: 4px; cursor: pointer; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; transition: background-color 0.2s; } .ts-btn:hover { background-color: #3a6346; } .ts-results { margin-top: 30px; background-color: #f0f7f1; padding: 20px; border-radius: 6px; display: none; border-left: 5px solid #4a7c59; } .ts-result-row { display: flex; justify-content: space-between; align-items: center; padding: 10px 0; border-bottom: 1px solid #dcebd0; } .ts-result-row:last-child { border-bottom: none; } .ts-result-label { font-weight: 600; color: #555; } .ts-result-value { font-size: 24px; font-weight: bold; color: #2d4d36; } .ts-article { line-height: 1.6; color: #333; } .ts-article h2 { color: #2d4d36; margin-top: 30px; } .ts-article ul { margin-bottom: 20px; } .ts-article li { margin-bottom: 10px; } @media (max-width: 600px) { .ts-form-grid { grid-template-columns: 1fr; } }

Project Topsoil Estimator

Enter your project dimensions to calculate the exact cubic yards of topsoil required.

Total Volume Needed: 0.00 cu. yds
Volume in Cubic Feet: 0.00 cu. ft
Approx. 40lb Bags Needed: 0
Estimated Material Cost: $0.00

*Note: Calculations include a standard 5% waste buffer. Bags estimated at 0.75 cu. ft per 40lb bag.

How to Calculate Topsoil in Cubic Yards

Whether you are establishing a new lawn, filling raised garden beds, or grading a landscape, purchasing the correct amount of topsoil is critical. Buying too little halts your project, while buying too much wastes money and leaves you with a pile of dirt to move. Most bulk topsoil suppliers sell by the Cubic Yard.

The Topsoil Calculation Formula

To determine how many cubic yards you need, you must determine the volume of the area you are filling. Since most measurements are taken with mixed units (feet for area, inches for depth), the formula requires conversion.

The Math Behind the Tool:

  1. Calculate Area: Multiply Length (ft) × Width (ft) to get Square Feet.
  2. Convert Depth: Divide the Depth (inches) by 12 to convert it to feet.
  3. Calculate Cubic Feet: Multiply Area (sq ft) × Depth (ft).
  4. Convert to Cubic Yards: Divide the total Cubic Feet by 27 (since there are 27 cubic feet in one cubic yard).

Formula: ((Length × Width) × (Depth / 12)) / 27 = Cubic Yards

Recommended Topsoil Depth

The amount of soil you need depends heavily on the application. Here are standard industry recommendations:

  • New Lawn (Seeding/Sodding): 4 to 6 inches. This provides a healthy root zone for grass.
  • Reseeding/Top Dressing: 0.25 to 0.5 inches. Just enough to cover seeds or smooth uneven spots.
  • Raised Garden Beds: 8 to 12 inches. Vegetables require deeper soil for root expansion.
  • Flower Beds: 6 to 8 inches.

Cubic Yards vs. Bags

When should you buy in bulk versus buying bags?

  • Bagged Soil: Typically sold in 0.75 or 1 cubic foot bags. Best for small projects requiring less than 1 cubic yard.
  • Bulk Soil: Sold by the cubic yard (scoop). A standard pickup truck can hold 1 to 2 cubic yards. Best for new lawns and large raised beds.

Rule of Thumb: One Cubic Yard is approximately equivalent to 36 standard (40lb) bags of topsoil.

Factors Affecting Compaction

Topsoil is loose when delivered but will settle and compact over time, especially after watering. It is standard practice to order 5% to 10% more than your exact geometric calculation to account for settling and spillage during the wheelbarrow phase. Our calculator automatically includes a slight buffer to ensure you don't run short.

function calculateTopsoil() { // 1. Get Input Values var lengthFt = document.getElementById('ts_length').value; var widthFt = document.getElementById('ts_width').value; var depthIn = document.getElementById('ts_depth').value; var pricePerYard = document.getElementById('ts_price').value; // 2. Validate Inputs if (lengthFt === "" || widthFt === "" || depthIn === "") { alert("Please enter Length, Width, and Depth to calculate."); return; } var L = parseFloat(lengthFt); var W = parseFloat(widthFt); var D_inches = parseFloat(depthIn); var P = pricePerYard ? parseFloat(pricePerYard) : 0; if (isNaN(L) || isNaN(W) || isNaN(D_inches) || L <= 0 || W <= 0 || D_inches <= 0) { alert("Please enter valid positive numbers for dimensions."); return; } // 3. Perform Calculations // Convert depth inches to feet var depthFt = D_inches / 12; // Calculate Cubic Feet (Area * Depth) var cubicFeet = L * W * depthFt; // Convert to Cubic Yards (27 cubic feet in 1 cubic yard) var cubicYards = cubicFeet / 27; // Add 5% buffer for compaction/waste var totalYards = cubicYards * 1.05; var totalFeet = cubicFeet * 1.05; // Calculate Bags (Assuming standard 0.75 cu ft bag usually sold as 40lb topsoil) // 1 cubic yard = 27 cu ft. // Bags needed = Total Cubic Feet Needed / 0.75 var bagsNeeded = totalFeet / 0.75; // Calculate Cost var totalCost = totalYards * P; // 4. Update the DOM Results document.getElementById('display_yards').innerHTML = totalYards.toFixed(2) + " cu. yds"; document.getElementById('display_feet').innerHTML = totalFeet.toFixed(2) + " cu. ft"; document.getElementById('display_bags').innerHTML = Math.ceil(bagsNeeded); if (P > 0) { document.getElementById('display_cost').innerHTML = "$" + totalCost.toFixed(2); document.getElementById('cost_row').style.display = "flex"; } else { document.getElementById('cost_row').style.display = "none"; } // Show Results Container document.getElementById('ts_results_area').style.display = "block"; }

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