How to use it
- Enter the length in feet
- Enter the width in feet
- Enter the desired depth in inches
- Click Calculate to see cubic feet, cubic yards and tons
This calculator turns the dimensions of your garden bed, lawn patch, or landscaping project into the exact amount of topsoil you’ll need. You enter length, width and the depth you plan to spread, then the tool instantly shows cubic feet, converts that to cubic yards and estimates the weight in tons using the industry standard 1.3 tons per cubic yard. Knowing the cubic yards helps you compare supplier quotes, while the ton estimate lets you verify truck capacity. For example, a 20 ft × 30 ft area 4 in deep equals about 200 ft³, which is 7.4 yd³ or roughly 9.6 tons. Use the results to order the right volume, avoid costly over‑orders, and keep your project on schedule. The calculator also displays the result in tons, which is useful when hiring a delivery service that charges by weight, and you can round up to the nearest whole yard to simplify ordering.
Pro tips
- Add 5‑10% waste allowance to cover settling and compaction
- Round up to the nearest whole cubic yard for easier ordering
- Check supplier specifications; some sell by the ton, others by the yard
- Double‑check depth conversion from inches to feet before calculating
Real-life examples
- Planning a new lawn and need to know how much topsoil to purchase
- Refilling a garden bed after demolition of old soil
- Estimating material for a raised patio foundation
Case study
Emily needed to fill a new flower bed 15 ft by 25 ft at a 3‑inch depth. Using the calculator she saw she required 2.2 cubic yards (≈2.9 tons). She ordered 3 cubic yards, avoided a second delivery, and completed the bed on budget.