How to use it
- Enter length and width in feet.
- Input desired depth in inches.
- Click calculate to see cubic yards, tons, and cubic feet.
Planning a garden bed, lawn, or landscaping project? This calculator tells you exactly how much topsoil you need — no guesswork, no over-ordering.
Enter your bed's length and width in feet, plus your desired depth in inches. The tool instantly returns three results: cubic yards (what suppliers sell by), tons (approximate weight at 1.3 tons per cubic yard), and cubic feet (for small-scale reference).
Why it matters: Buying too little means delays; buying too much wastes money. The tonnage estimate helps you choose the right delivery truck size and avoid extra trips.
Read the results this way: cubic yards is your primary order number. Tons is an approximation based on standard moisture content — actual weight varies with soil type and wetness. Cubic feet helps when you're filling containers or small raised beds.
Pro tips
- Add 10-15% waste allowance for uneven ground and settling.
- Round up to the nearest half-yard when ordering — suppliers often charge for partial yards.
- Confirm delivery truck capacity before ordering; a standard truck holds ~10-14 cubic yards.
- Common mistake: confusing depth in inches with depth in feet — always enter inches as the input.
Real-life examples
- Filling a new 20×30 ft vegetable garden to 6 inches deep.
- Topping up a lawn after aeration across 1,000 sq ft.
- Calculating fill for a raised bed project before ordering delivery.
Case study
Sarah needed topsoil for a 40×25 ft yard at 4 inches deep. She used the calculator, got 12.3 cubic yards and 16 tons, ordered exactly that amount, and avoided a second delivery fee. Saved $180 and one week of waiting.