New lawn: 4-6", garden beds: 6-12", top-dressing: 0.5-1"
Topsoil Estimate
Estimated Total Cost
$94 – $249
2.47 cubic yards of screened topsoil
12,800+ estimates calculated this month
Topsoil Coverage & Cost Guide
Depths, coverage rates, and 2026 cost ranges for screened, unscreened, and blended topsoil.
How Much Topsoil Do I Need?
One cubic yard of topsoil covers 81 sq ft at 4 inches deep. The formula is Length x Width x Depth(in feet) divided by 27 = cubic yards. Measure each area, add it up, then order by the yard.
- New lawn / sod prep: 4-6 inches deep
- Garden and raised beds: 6-12 inches deep
- Top-dressing an existing lawn: 0.25-1 inch deep
- Filling low spots / leveling: match the grade, usually 2-4 inches
For projects over 3 cubic yards, order bulk by the cubic yard. Bags only make sense for small patch jobs.
Key Takeaways
- 1 cubic yard covers 81 sq ft at 4" deep
- New lawns need 4-6 inches of topsoil
- Formula: L x W x Depth(ft) / 27 = cubic yards
Topsoil Cost Per Yard in 2026
Bulk topsoil runs $12-$60 per cubic yard delivered, depending on whether it is screened, blended, or raw fill. Delivery adds $50-$150 per trip.
- Unscreened / fill topsoil: $12-$25 per cubic yard
- Screened topsoil: $18-$40 per cubic yard
- Compost-amended topsoil: $30-$55 per cubic yard
- Garden blend / premium: $35-$60 per cubic yard
- Delivery fee: $50-$150 per load (most suppliers, varies by distance)
Buying bulk is far cheaper than bagged soil. A 40 lb bag holds about 0.75 cu ft, so it takes roughly 36 bags to equal one cubic yard.
Key Takeaways
- Screened topsoil: $18-$40/cubic yard
- Delivery: $50-$150 per load
- ~36 bags (40 lb) equal one cubic yard
Screened vs. Unscreened Topsoil
Screened topsoil is run through a mesh to remove rocks, roots, and clumps, giving a fine, uniform soil that grades smooth and seeds evenly. Unscreened topsoil is cheaper but full of debris.
- Screened: best for new lawns, seeding, and finish grading where you need a clean surface
- Unscreened / fill: fine for filling holes, building up grade, or rough sub-base work
- Compost-amended: mixed with organic matter for garden beds and plantings
- Weight: topsoil runs about 1.0-1.3 tons per cubic yard depending on moisture and content
Wet topsoil weighs more and is harder to spread. If you can, take delivery when the pile and the ground are dry.
Key Takeaways
- Screened soil grades and seeds clean
- Unscreened is cheaper for fill and grade work
- Topsoil weighs ~1.0-1.3 tons per cubic yard
Last updated: 2026-05-28
Quick Answer: How Much Topsoil Do I Need?
One cubic yard of topsoil covers 81 sq ft at 4 inches deep - the standard depth for a new lawn. For a 20x10 ft area at 4 inches, you need about 2.5 cubic yards. Order bulk by the cubic yard for anything over 3 yards. Bulk topsoil runs $12-$60 per yard depending on whether it is screened or raw fill, plus $50-$150 for delivery. Every inch of depth change shifts coverage by about 27 sq ft per cubic yard. Use the calculator above to get exact numbers for your project.
Topsoil Type Comparison: Cost and Best Use
| Topsoil Type | Bulk Cost (per cy) | Weight (tons/cy) | Best Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unscreened / fill | $12-$25 | 1.2 | Filling holes, building up grade |
| Screened | $18-$40 | 1.1 | New lawns, seeding, finish grade |
| Compost-amended | $30-$55 | 1.0 | Garden beds, plantings |
| Garden blend / premium | $35-$60 | 1.0 | Raised beds, vegetable plots |
All types cover about 81 sq ft per cubic yard at 4 inches deep. Delivery typically adds $50-$150 per load.
Pricing soil, spreading, and grading for a client? Try EstimationPro free - it turns your takeoff into a clean, itemized estimate in minutes.
Where Topsoil Projects Go Wrong
- Ordering by the bag instead of the yard. Suppliers sell bulk by the cubic yard. If you show up asking for "40 bags worth," you will overpay and probably make two trips. Calculate cubic yards first, then only buy bags if it is a tiny patch job.
- Going too shallow on a new lawn. Two inches of topsoil over hardpan will not grow a healthy lawn. Roots need room. Four to six inches of good screened soil is the difference between grass that survives the first dry spell and grass that browns out by July.
- Forgetting that soil settles. Fresh topsoil settles 10-20% after the first few rains. If you grade it flush today, you will have low spots in a month. I always add a little extra and crown the grade slightly so it settles level.
- Taking delivery on wet soil. Soaked topsoil weighs 20-30% more, clumps up, and is miserable to spread. When you can, schedule delivery for a dry stretch. It saves labor and you get more usable soil per ton.
- Skipping the sub-base. Dumping topsoil over compacted clay or construction debris traps water and kills roots. Loosen the sub-base first, then lay your topsoil. The prep matters as much as the soil itself.
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- Sand Calculator - Estimate sand for fill, bedding, and leveling projects.
If you are a contractor pricing topsoil, grading, and landscaping work for clients, try EstimationPro free - it builds the full estimate, sends the proposal automatically, and follows up with your client so you close more of the jobs you quote.
How to Use This Calculator
Pick your topsoil type
Choose screened, unscreened fill, compost-amended, or premium garden blend. Each one has a different cost per cubic yard and a different best use, from finish grading to filling low spots.
Set the depth
Enter the soil depth in inches. New lawns need 4-6 inches, garden beds want 6-12 inches, and top-dressing an existing lawn only takes a quarter inch to an inch.
Enter the area dimensions
Add the length and width of the area in feet. For odd shapes, break the yard into rectangles, measure each one, and add the results together before you order.
Review yards, tons, and cost
See total cubic yards, tons, bag count, and estimated cost with optional delivery. Order bulk by the cubic yard for anything over 3 yards, and round up so you do not run short.
Topsoil Calculation Formulas
Cubic Yards = (Length x Width x Depth in feet) / 27
Tons = Cubic Yards x 1.0 to 1.3
Coverage at 4" deep: 1 cy = 81 sq ftWhere:
- Length, Width
- = Area dimensions in feet
- Depth
- = Soil depth in inches (convert to feet by dividing by 12)
- 27
- = Cubic feet per cubic yard (3 x 3 x 3)
- 1.0 to 1.3
- = Tons per cubic yard (varies with moisture and content)
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much topsoil do I need?
Use the formula: Cubic Yards = (Length x Width x Depth in feet) / 27. For a 20 ft x 10 ft area at 4 inches deep: (20 x 10 x 0.333) / 27 = 2.47 cubic yards. One cubic yard covers about 81 sq ft at 4 inches deep, or 162 sq ft at 2 inches deep.
How many cubic yards of topsoil for a new lawn?
For a new lawn at 4 inches deep, every 1,000 sq ft needs about 12.3 cubic yards. At 6 inches that jumps to roughly 18.5 cubic yards per 1,000 sq ft. Most seeding jobs use 4 inches of good screened topsoil over a prepped sub-base.
How much does a yard of topsoil cost?
Bulk topsoil costs $12-$60 per cubic yard in 2026. Unscreened fill runs $12-$25, screened topsoil $18-$40, and premium garden blends $35-$60. Delivery adds $50-$150 per load depending on distance and how many yards you order.
How many bags of topsoil are in a cubic yard?
It takes about 36 bags of 40 lb topsoil to equal one cubic yard. A 40 lb bag holds roughly 0.75 cubic feet, and a cubic yard is 27 cubic feet (27 / 0.75 = 36). Bags cost far more per yard than bulk, so buy bulk for any project over 1 cubic yard.
How deep should topsoil be for grass?
Lay 4-6 inches of topsoil for a new lawn so grass roots have room to establish. For top-dressing an existing lawn, spread only a quarter inch to one inch so you do not smother the grass. Garden beds and vegetable plots do best with 6-12 inches.
What is the difference between screened and unscreened topsoil?
Screened topsoil is run through a mesh to pull out rocks, roots, and clumps, so it grades smooth and seeds evenly. It is the right choice for new lawns and finish work. Unscreened topsoil is cheaper but full of debris, which is fine for filling holes or building up grade where looks do not matter.
How much does a yard of topsoil weigh?
One cubic yard of topsoil weighs about 1.0 to 1.3 tons (2,000-2,600 lbs). Wet or clay-heavy soil sits on the high end, and dry screened soil on the low end. Moisture matters: a soaked pile can weigh 20-30% more, which affects both delivery and how easy it is to spread.
How do contractors price topsoil and grading for a client?
Most contractors price topsoil by the cubic yard delivered, then add labor for spreading and grading at $40-$70 per hour or a per-yard spread rate. I always add 10-15% for waste, settling, and the low spots you find once you start raking. To put a clean number on a bid fast, run the volume through the cubic yard calculator and price the material and labor as separate lines.
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