Topsoil Calculator: Yards, Tons & Bags
A 20 × 10 ft area 4 in deep takes 2.47 cu yd of topsoil (66.7 cu ft), about 1.98–3.17 tons. Published topsoil weights run 0.8–1.2825 tons per cu yd (loose to packed), so ask your supplier for theirs. In bags: 67 of 1 cu ft or 34 of 2 cu ft.
Set up for: topsoil for a lawn or raised beds · Different project?
How much does topsoil weigh?
| Published as | Tons per cu yd | As published | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Top Soil | 0.8 | 0.8 t | New Mexico EMNRD (Mining and Minerals Division) |
| Topsoil (loose) | 1.025 | 2,050 lb | Two Rivers-Ottauquechee Regional Commission (Vermont) |
| Topsoil (packed) | 1.2825 | 2,565 lb | Two Rivers-Ottauquechee Regional Commission (Vermont) |
| Soil (about) | 1 | 2,000 lb | Ask Extension (Cooperative Extension) |
| Volume | Tons (range) | Pounds (range) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 cu yd | 0.80–1.28 | 1,600–2,565 |
| 2 cu yd | 1.60–2.57 | 3,200–5,130 |
| 3 cu yd | 2.40–3.85 | 4,800–7,695 |
| 5 cu yd | 4.00–6.41 | 8,000–12,825 |
| 10 cu yd | 8.0–12.8 | 16,000–25,650 |
FAQ
How much topsoil do I need?
Length × width (ft) × depth (in) ÷ 12 = cubic feet; ÷ 27 = cubic yards. Type your area and depth for lawns, raised beds or sod prep.
How much does a yard of topsoil weigh?
Public sources range from 0.8 tons (New Mexico EMNRD) to 1.2825 tons (packed, TRORC/EPA chart); Ask Extension says about 2,000 lb. Topsoil weight by source.
Can I haul a yard of topsoil in a pickup?
Check your payload on the door-jamb sticker. Ask Extension: “A standard pickup truck can only haul about 1,000 pounds without overloading it.” The calculator counts trips at the payload you enter.
Sources
- New Mexico EMNRD (Mining and Minerals Division): Conversion factors for construction materials and common minerals · fetched and reviewed 2026-11-10
- Two Rivers-Ottauquechee Regional Commission (Vermont): Material weight, pounds per cubic yard (from EPA & NTEA) · fetched and reviewed 2026-11-10
- Ask Extension (Cooperative Extension): How much soil for raised beds · fetched and reviewed 2026-11-10