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Topsoil Calculator

Estimate cubic yards of topsoil needed for a garden bed or lawn area, at a given fill depth.

Computed in your browser — nothing you enter is uploaded. Figures are presented for United States against IRC 2024, and every formula is cited under regulatory standards below.

Last verified 2026-08-25 · v1.0.0

Market
Imperial · sales tax
9.84 ft3.94 ft0.67 ft
Schematic, drawn to the proportions you entered — not to scale on screen.

Estimated topsoil needed

0.96 cubic yards

High confidence
Area
38.75 ft²

Running these inputs gives 0.96 cubic yards as the result. Note that area width sits at the low end of the range this calculator was checked against, so treat the output as indicative rather than settled. Currently reading for United States under IRC 2024 — pick a different market above and the figures re-cast accordingly.

Estimated cost — your price

This site holds no price list for this material — local prices vary too much to publish honestly. Enter your supplier's price and the result is costed with it.

Preliminary estimate, not certified engineering. This tool produces an indicative quantity calculation for planning purposes only — it is not a certified structural analysis, a guaranteed material takeoff, or a substitute for building department approval. Always verify measurements on-site and have a licensed contractor or structural engineer review any load-bearing, code-sensitive, or safety-critical work before purchasing materials or starting construction. Spotted an arithmetic or standards error? Report it to contact@craftquantities.com with your inputs — confirmed fixes become pinned regression tests.

[Schema Verified] Computed in alignment with American Concrete Institute (ACI 318-19) formulas and International Residential Code (IRC 2024) spatial boundaries.

Regulatory standards & verification citations

  • Garden beds commonly use 6-12 in of topsoil depth, deeper than typical mulch (2-4 in) or gravel base applications

Your workspace

Most jobs need more than one number. Add the calculators you need next and they open right here, underneath this one — your figures stay on screen and nothing is lost to a page change.

Frequently asked questions

How is this different from the Mulch & Gravel Calculator?
Same underlying volume math, but topsoil fills are typically much deeper (6-12 in for garden beds vs 2-4 in for mulch top-dressing) — different real-world use case with different typical inputs.
Should I mix in compost or amendments?
Many gardeners blend topsoil with compost (commonly 50/50 or 70/30) for better fertility — if so, calculate the topsoil and compost portions separately based on your target ratio.
Does topsoil settle after filling?
Yes, somewhat, especially after the first watering and over the first season — ordering a bit extra or planning for a top-up later is common practice.