Topsoil Calculator

Topsoil is sold in bulk by the cubic yard or in bags of about 1 cubic foot. Enter your area and the depth you want to add to see the cubic yards needed, the bag equivalent, and an estimated cost. Prices are national ranges — get a local delivery quote for bulk.

Price snapshot

$20–$45 / cubic yard

Updated 2026-07-01
Source: Home Depot / Lowe's bag listings + regional bulk screened-topsoil averages

Estimate your topsoil

Showing a default 20 × 20 ft area at 3" deep. Enter your own numbers below.

Length (ft)Width (ft)Depth (in)

Volume

3.7 yd³

You need (+8% waste)

4 cubic yards

Or bags

108

Estimated cost

$80–$180

Material only, $20–$45 per cubic yard. Delivery and labor not included. Estimates only — not engineering advice.

A 20 × 20 ft area at 3" deep needs about 4 cubic yards (incl. 8% waste), an estimated $80–$180 in material.

By project

Topsoil for a lawn →

Topsoil cost breakdown

Bulk screened topsoil (per cubic yard): $20–$45 per yard; premium garden mixes and compost blends run higher.
Bagged topsoil (~1 cu ft): $2–$5 per bag. Convenient for small jobs but far pricier per yard than bulk.
Delivery: $50–$120 per load for bulk, usually with a minimum order.
Spreading / grading (optional): $25–$60 per cubic yard if you hire it out.

Buying & spec guide

Buy screened topsoil for a level, rock-free result — unscreened 'fill dirt' is cheaper but lumpy.
Topsoil settles when watered; order about 8% extra (the calculator includes this).
For a new lawn, add 3–4 inches; for top-dressing an existing lawn, spread only 1/4–1/2 inch.
One cubic yard covers about 100 sq ft at 3 inches deep.
Bulk delivery beats bags on cost for anything over roughly 1 cubic yard (about 27 bags).

Topsoil & garden soil at The Home Depot → Topsoil at Lowe's →

Frequently asked questions

How much topsoil do I need?

Multiply the area's length × width in feet by the depth in feet (inches ÷ 12), then divide by 27 for cubic yards. The calculator above does this and adds 8% for settling.

How much topsoil to level or start a lawn?

For top-dressing an existing lawn, spread 1/4–1/2 inch — about 0.75–1.5 cubic yards per 1,000 square feet. For a brand-new lawn bed, add 3–4 inches of screened topsoil.

How many bags of topsoil in a cubic yard?

About 27 bags of 1 cubic foot topsoil make one cubic yard. Bagged soil is convenient but much more expensive per yard than bulk.

How much does a yard of topsoil cost?

Bulk screened topsoil runs about $20–$45 per cubic yard, plus $50–$120 for delivery. Premium garden and compost blends cost more.