TOPSOIL CALCULATOR / FIELD GUIDE
One cubic yard. How much ground?
Coverage changes with depth. Choose the layer first, then work out the quantity.
The coverage formula
A cubic yard contains 27 cubic feet. Spread over a uniform depth, its area in square feet is 27 divided by the depth in feet. With depth in inches, use 324 ÷ depth in inches.
Coverage (ft²) = volume (yd³) × 324 ÷ depth (in)
For example, one cubic yard at 3 inches deep covers 324 ÷ 3 = 108 ft² before extra allowance or losses. Two cubic yards at the same depth cover 216 ft². This is a geometric volume relationship, not a promise of finished coverage from a particular soil.
Coverage at different depths
| Depth | Coverage | Example use of the number |
|---|---|---|
| ¼ in | 1,296 ft² | Thin-layer arithmetic |
| ½ in | 648 ft² | Thin-layer arithmetic |
| 1 in | 324 ft² | Added layer |
| 2 in | 162 ft² | Added layer |
| 3 in | 108 ft² | Added layer |
| 6 in | 54 ft² | Deeper fill arithmetic |
Depths are examples, not planting or lawn-treatment recommendations. Choose a suitable depth for your project separately.
Use a bag’s labelled volume
A 2 ft³ bag at 3 inches (0.25 ft) deep covers 2 ÷ 0.25 = 8 ft². A 40-litre bag spread 10 cm deep covers 0.04 ÷ 0.10 = 0.4 m². A bag sold only by weight cannot provide a reliable volume without suitable density information.
From coverage to your order
Measure the actual area and the layer being added. Use separate rows for spaces with different depths and avoid overlap. For 200 ft² at 3 inches, measured volume is 50 ft³, or 1.85185… yd³. That is 25 whole 2 ft³ bags without extra allowance. With the example 10% extra, it becomes 55 ft³ and 28 bags.
The topdressing guide covers shallow depths; the raised-bed guide explains internal measurements and partial filling. For rounding, see the calculation method.
Last revised 2026-10-19.