Nothing derails a weekend project faster than running out of dirt halfway through. You're covered in soil, the truck's gone, and now you're making an emergency run to the garden center for overpriced bags.
This calculator prevents that. Enter your measurements—length and width for rectangular areas, or total square footage for irregular spaces—and you'll know exactly how much soil to order. Results come in cubic yards (what suppliers quote), cubic feet, bag counts, and even weight estimates for both dry and wet conditions.
Whether you're filling raised beds, leveling a bumpy lawn, or hauling material in your truck, you'll have the numbers you need to order right the first time.
Quick Reference: How Much Does Dirt Cover?
Before diving into measurements, here's what a cubic yard actually gets you:
Cubic Yards | At 2" Deep | At 4" Deep | At 6" Deep | At 12" Deep |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 162 sq ft | 81 sq ft | 54 sq ft | 27 sq ft |
2 | 324 sq ft | 162 sq ft | 108 sq ft | 54 sq ft |
3 | 486 sq ft | 243 sq ft | 162 sq ft | 81 sq ft |
5 | 810 sq ft | 405 sq ft | 270 sq ft | 135 sq ft |
One cubic yard looks like a lot when it's piled in your driveway. It looks like almost nothing once you start spreading it.
How to Use This Calculator
Choose Your Measurement Style
The calculator offers two input options:
Option 1: Length, Width & Depth Best for rectangular spaces. Measure each dimension and enter them separately—you can mix units (feet for length, inches for depth) and the calculator converts automatically.
Option 2: Area & Depth Better for irregular shapes or when you've already calculated square footage. Just enter the total area and your fill depth.
Read Your Results
You'll get five outputs:
- Cubic yards — The number to give your supplier
- Cubic feet — Useful for comparing bag quantities
- Bags needed — Based on standard 0.75 cu ft bags
- Dry weight — For planning truck loads or trailer capacity
- Wet weight — Because soil after rain weighs 30-40% more
The Math Behind It (So You Know It's Right)
The formula is straightforward:
Cubic Yards = (Length × Width × Depth in feet) ÷ 27
That "27" comes from there being 27 cubic feet in a cubic yard (3 × 3 × 3).
Worked Example:
You're building a 12 ft × 4 ft raised bed and want 10 inches of soil.
- Convert depth: 10 inches ÷ 12 = 0.833 feet
- Calculate volume: 12 × 4 × 0.833 = 40 cubic feet
- Convert to yards: 40 ÷ 27 = 1.48 cubic yards
Round up to 1.5 cubic yards—you'll use every bit.
How Deep Should You Go?
This is where most people get it wrong. They guess, order too little, and end up with thin coverage that doesn't perform.
Lawn Projects
Project | Depth | Why |
|---|---|---|
Top dressing | 1" | Just enough to fill low spots and add nutrients |
Overseeding prep | 2" | Creates seedbed without burying existing grass |
New lawn from seed | 4-6" | Roots need room; thin soil = thin lawn |
Sod installation | 4-5" | Sod roots need loose soil to establish |
Garden Projects
Project | Depth | Why |
|---|---|---|
Annual flower beds | 4-6" | Adequate for shallow-rooted annuals |
Perennial gardens | 6-8" | Deeper roots need more room |
Vegetable beds | 10-12" | Root vegetables especially need depth |
Raised beds on concrete/hardscape | 12-18" | No existing soil beneath |
The Settling Factor
Fresh soil compacts by about one-third as it settles. If you need 9 inches of finished depth, order enough for 12 inches. Skip this step and you'll be buying more in three months.
Soil Weight: Why It Matters More Than You Think
A pickup truck has a payload limit. A trailer has a weight rating. Your back has limits too. Soil is heavy—often heavier than people expect.
Weight Per Cubic Yard:
Soil Condition | Weight | Tons |
|---|---|---|
Dry, screened topsoil | 1,800-2,200 lbs | 0.9-1.1 |
Average garden soil | 2,000-2,600 lbs | 1.0-1.3 |
Moist soil | 2,400-2,900 lbs | 1.2-1.45 |
Wet/saturated | 2,800-3,400 lbs | 1.4-1.7 |
Real-World Translation:
That 3 cubic yards you ordered for your raised beds? If it rained yesterday at the supply yard, you're looking at 8,400-10,200 pounds in your driveway. Most half-ton pickups max out around 1,500 pounds payload. Do the math before you try hauling it yourself.
The calculator shows both dry and wet weight ranges because what shows up depends on recent weather, how long it's been in the pile, and how it was stored.
Bags vs. Bulk: The Real Cost Comparison
Everyone asks this. Here's how to decide:
Bagged Soil
- Typically $4-8 per 0.75-1 cubic foot bag
- At $5 per bag, one cubic yard (27 cubic feet) costs $135-180
- Advantages: No minimum order, easy to transport, store leftovers
- Best for: Under 1 cubic yard, tight access areas, precise amounts
Bulk Delivery
- Typically $25-50 per cubic yard plus delivery ($50-100)
- Three cubic yards delivered might cost $125-250 total
- Advantages: Much cheaper per yard, less packaging waste
- Best for: Over 2 cubic yards, accessible delivery spot
The Breakeven Point
Around 1.5-2 cubic yards, bulk starts winning on price. But factor in convenience: if you can't get a dump truck to your backyard, bags might be worth the premium.
Pro Tips: What the Calculators Don't Tell You
Order on Monday or Tuesday
Landscape suppliers get slammed on weekends. Mid-week orders often get faster delivery and better service. Some offer weekday discounts.
Check the Source Material
Not all topsoil is equal. Ask what it's screened to (½" is standard for garden use) and whether it contains any compost. "Triple mix" (topsoil, compost, peat) costs more but performs better in gardens.
Measure Twice, Then Add 10%
Your measurements aren't perfect. The pile won't spread perfectly. Order 10% extra for regular projects, 15% for anything with compaction.
Mind the Weather
Wet soil is miserable to work with—heavy, sticky, and clumpy. If possible, schedule delivery during a dry spell and spread it before the next rain.
Know Your Truck's Limits
- Half-ton pickup: ~0.5-0.75 cubic yards max (safely)
- Three-quarter ton: ~1 cubic yard
- Full-size with trailer: ~2-3 cubic yards
Overloading destroys suspensions and brakes. When in doubt, make two trips.
Project Examples: Real Numbers for Common Jobs
Example 1: Two 4×8 Raised Beds
Dimensions: 4 ft × 8 ft × 10" deep, quantity 2
Calculation:
- Each bed: 4 × 8 × 0.833 = 26.7 cu ft
- Both beds: 53.4 cu ft ÷ 27 = 1.98 cubic yards
- With settling buffer: Order 2.5 cubic yards
- Or approximately 71 bags (0.75 cu ft each)
Verdict: Borderline. Bulk delivery makes sense if available; otherwise, 36 two-cubic-foot bags works.
Example 2: Leveling a 20×30 Backyard
Area: 600 sq ft at 2" average depth
Calculation:
- 600 × 0.167 = 100 cu ft
- 100 ÷ 27 = 3.7 cubic yards
- With overage: Order 4 cubic yards
Verdict: Definitely bulk delivery. That's 133+ bags otherwise.
Example 3: Top Dressing Front Lawn
Area: 2,000 sq ft at 0.5" depth
Calculation:
- 2,000 × 0.042 = 84 cu ft
- 84 ÷ 27 = 3.1 cubic yards
Verdict: Bulk delivery. At half-inch depth, coverage goes far but you're still moving over 3 tons of material.