Map your patch.
Length × width for rectangles. π × radius² for circles. Already know your area? Put that in instead.
BIG PLANS START HERE
Topsoil calculator.
Get growing.
The right amount of soil.
One less thing to figure out.
Build my soil plan FREE TOOL
NO SIGN-UP
NO SIGN-UP
RECTANGLES + CIRCLES + KNOWN AREASYARDS / METRES / BAGSYOUR NUMBERS. YOUR PLAN.
MAKE IT YOURS
A little input.
A proper plan.
Start with your space. Add your depth.
We’ll take care of the unit juggling.
THE NUMBERS ARE IN
Your soil plan.
PLANNING VOLUME
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Including your extra allowance
BUYING BAGS?
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whole bagsGOING BULK?
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supplier orderWEIGHT ESTIMATE
Density needed
Enter supplier density to estimate weight.
See volume & cost breakdown ＋
- Measured soil volume
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- Extra allowance
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- Planning volume, metric
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- Bulk material cost
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- Bag material cost
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- Bulk + entered delivery
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- Bags + same delivery
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Volume-based planning, not a soil prescription. Rounded display values are not used to calculate bags or costs.
NO MYSTERY MATH
Three steps.
Then you’re set.
Give it some depth.
Multiply each area by the layer of soil you’re adding. Add separate areas together, without counting overlaps.
Make it order-ready.
Add an allowance, then round whole bags and supplier increments up separately. 27 ft³ makes one cubic yard.
LET’S PUT NUMBERS TO IT
Real examples.
Clear answers.
RECTANGLE / NO ALLOWANCE
20 ft × 10 ft, 3 in deep
200 × 3 ÷ 12 = 50 ft³ = 1.85185… yd³.
THE SAME BED / 10% EXTRA
A little room in the order
50 × 1.10 = 55 ft³. 27.5 bags rounds up to 28.
METRIC / NO ALLOWANCE
5 m × 2 m, 10 cm deep
10 × 0.10 = 1 m³ = 1,000 litres.
*Bulk example uses a supplier increment of 0.25 yd³. Depths illustrate the arithmetic; choose an appropriate depth for your project.
GOOD QUESTIONS
Before you
get your hands dirty.
The details that make
a better soil order.
Is a “yard” the same as a cubic yard?
Landscaping suppliers often use “yard” to mean cubic yard. This tool’s yd³ always means volume: 27 cubic feet. Confirm the unit on your quote.
How much area does a cubic yard cover?
At 3 inches deep, one cubic yard covers 108 square feet before allowances: 27 ft³ ÷ 0.25 ft. At a different depth, the coverage changes.
Can I calculate several beds?
Yes. Add up to 30 separate areas, each with its own shape, depth and quantity. Count each physical space once. The allowance applies to the combined volume.
How many tons are in a cubic yard of topsoil?
There is no universal answer. Supply the bulk density in kg/m³ to estimate weight. US short tons mean 2,000 lb; metric tonnes mean 1,000 kg. A bag sold by weight also needs a labelled volume or suitable density before volume can be inferred.
Does the extra allowance account for compaction?
It is an editable addition to your measured volume, not a measured compaction model. Confirm whether your supplier quotes loose or finished volume and what allowance suits its product. Do not apply the same allowance twice.
Should I use topsoil alone in a raised bed?
This calculator estimates quantity, not the right growing medium. Soil blend, drainage and crop needs matter. Ask your local extension service and supplier; University of Maryland Extension explains soil selection for raised beds.
Are these prices live supplier quotes?
No. All prices are optional values you enter. The comparison excludes taxes, different delivery rates and supplier-specific minimums or fees. Confirm the actual quote before ordering.