Topsoil Coverage Calculator

Topsoil coverage calculator for bags or bulk delivery

This Topsoil Coverage Calculator estimates how much topsoil you need to spread over a defined area at a specific depth. The dominant intent is simple: you are about to buy topsoil and you need a credible quantity estimate so you do not under-order (wasting time and delivery fees) or over-order (wasting money and cleanup effort). This page is locked to topsoil coverage for lawns, gardens, and landscaping beds where you spread a uniform layer.

You can enter the area in the way most people actually have it. If your space is roughly rectangular, enter length and width and choose feet or meters. If you already measured area from a plan, a listing, or a mapping tool, switch to “Total area” and enter the number directly in square feet or square meters. Then enter the depth of topsoil you want to add. Depth defaults to inches because that is the most common way people think about a topsoil layer, but centimeters are available.

The calculator outputs volume in cubic feet, cubic yards, and cubic meters so you can match how suppliers sell. Bulk landscape suppliers commonly quote cubic yards (or cubic meters in some regions), while bagged topsoil is often sold in fixed volumes like 1.0, 1.5, or 2.0 cubic feet per bag. To keep the result practical, the output includes an estimated bag count based on your chosen bag size, plus an optional weight estimate if you provide (or accept) a typical bulk density.

Assumptions and how to use this calculator

• This calculator assumes a uniform layer of topsoil across the full area (no mounds, no deep holes, no raised edging that changes depth).
• Depth is the added topsoil layer, not the total soil depth on site. If you are filling a depression, measure the average fill depth instead.
• Waste and settling are handled as a simple percentage. If you are spreading over uneven ground, add a higher percentage (for example 10% to 20%).
• Bag counts are based on bag volume (cubic feet). If your bag is labelled by liters, convert to cubic feet before using it, or pick a close bag size.
• Weight is an estimate only. Topsoil density varies with moisture, organic content, and compaction, so use weight mainly for rough logistics (vehicle loading, handling), not for exact purchasing.

Common questions

What depth of topsoil should I use for a lawn or garden bed?

For topdressing an existing lawn, common depths are thin, often around 0.25 to 1 inch, applied in multiple passes. For improving a garden bed, 2 to 4 inches is a common practical range. If you are establishing a new bed or correcting poor soil, you may go deeper, but depth quickly increases volume and cost. If you are unsure, start with a realistic target (like 2 inches), check the volume, and then decide whether the effort and cost match your goal.

Should I order bags or bulk topsoil?

Bags are convenient for small areas, tight access, and DIY projects where you are carrying soil by hand. Bulk delivery is usually the more cost-effective choice for larger volumes because you avoid paying for packaging and repeated trips. Use the cubic yards or cubic meters output to talk to bulk suppliers, and the bag estimate to sanity-check what the same volume would look like in bags.

Why does the calculator include an “extra for waste and settling” percent?

Topsoil does not behave like a perfectly measured solid. It settles, spreads unevenly, and some gets lost to edges, wheelbarrows, and cleanup. If you order the exact calculated volume, you often end up short, especially on uneven ground. A small buffer is a practical hedge against re-ordering. If your site is flat and accessible, 5% can be enough. If your site is uneven or you are blending into existing grades, 10% to 20% is more realistic.

My area is not a rectangle. How should I estimate area?

This page is not a shape-by-shape geometry tool. The clean workaround is to estimate total area first and use the “Total area” mode. For irregular shapes, split the space into a few simple rectangles, estimate each area, and add them up. Another common method is using a mapping or property tool that reports square footage or square meters. Once you have a reasonable total area, the coverage math is the same.

What if I do not know my topsoil density?

You do not need density to buy topsoil by volume. Density is only used for the weight estimate. If you are using weight for transport planning, accept the default density as a rough midpoint and treat the result as approximate. If weight matters (for example, a trailer limit), ask your supplier for typical bulk density for their product or assume a higher value to be conservative.