Topsoil Calculator
- Materials
- Labor
- Profit
Profit is 20.0% of the price. Bags make sense only for small patches: a yard is 36 bags of 0.75 cu ft.
Turn this into a quote
A one-page PDF for your customer, filled in from the numbers above. Your markup isn't shown.
How the topsoil calculation works
Cubic feet = area × depth in feet
A 30 × 20 ft lawn area at 4 in deep is 600 × 0.333 = 200 cu ft, or 7.41 yd³.
Add an allowance for settling
Topsoil compacts as it is spread. With 15% extra, 200 cu ft becomes 230 cu ft, which is 8.52 yd³.
Convert to tons or bags if that is how you buy
At a typical 1.1 tons per yard, 8.52 yd³ is about 9.37 tons. In 0.75 cu ft bags it is 307 bags.
Add labor and markup
Spreading and grading hours at your hourly cost, plus your markup on the total cost, is the price to quote.
Worked example. A 30 × 20 ft area at 4 in deep with 15% for settling needs 8.52 yd³ of topsoil, about 9.37 tons. At $35 a yard the soil costs $298.15. With 8 labor hours at $45 ($360) and a 25% markup ($164.54), the job price is $822.69.
Topsoil FAQ
How much topsoil do I need?
Multiply length × width × depth in feet and divide by 27 for cubic yards, then add 10–20% for settling. 600 sq ft at 4 in is 7.41 yd³ before settling.
How many square feet does a yard of topsoil cover?
About 324 sq ft at 1 in deep, 81 sq ft at 4 in and 54 sq ft at 6 in, before settling.
How much does a yard of topsoil weigh?
Typically about 1–1.3 tons dry, and more when wet. This calculator uses 1.1 tons as a starting point; ask your supplier for theirs.
How deep should topsoil be for a new lawn?
4–6 in of good topsoil gives grass roots room to establish. For top dressing an existing lawn, 1/4–1/2 in is enough.
How much soil do I need for a raised bed?
Length × width × depth in feet gives cubic feet. An 8 × 4 ft bed filled 12 in deep holds 32 cu ft, which is 1.19 yd³ or 43 bags of 0.75 cu ft. Enter the bed size and 12 in depth above; add a little for settling.
Can I use this as a fill dirt or soil calculator?
Yes. The volume is the same for topsoil, garden soil and fill dirt. Only the weight per yard and the price change, so enter your supplier's tons per yard and price per yard or ton.
How do I price a topsoil job?
Add the soil, delivery, crew and machine hours at your full hourly cost, then your markup. Grading and seeding are often quoted separately per square foot.