Last updated: February 16, 2026
Why “About Ten Yards” Is Never Close Enough
You call the landscape supply yard, eyeball your garden beds, and ask for “about ten cubic yards of topsoil.” The truck arrives. You spread it. Two beds are done and you’re already scraping the bottom of the pile. The problem is almost always depth: 4 inches of topsoil across 1,000 sq ft is 12.3 yd³, not 10. A topsoil calculator turns area and depth into exact cubic yards or cubic meters, then adds a waste factor for settling and spillage so the number you give the supplier is the number that actually covers the ground.
The tool also estimates weight from bulk density, which matters when the yard sells by the ton. Use the result to compare supplier quotes, figure out delivery trips, or decide between bags and bulk. It doesn’t replace a soil test—it tells you how much to order, not what blend to buy.
From Square Feet to Cubic Yards in One Step
| Shape | Volume formula (cu ft) | Then ÷ 27 for yd³ |
|---|---|---|
| Rectangle | Length × width × depth (ft) | Most beds, lawns, raised gardens |
| Circle | π × radius² × depth (ft) | Tree rings, round planters |
| Border / trench | Run × width × depth (ft) | Edging, French drains, mulch strips |
Key conversion: 1 cubic yard = 27 cubic feet. If depth is in inches, divide by 12 first. The tool handles both conversions —pick your input unit and it does the rest.
How Much Waste Factor to Add
Loose soil compacts after watering. Mulch settles over winter. Some material spills off the wheelbarrow. The waste factor is a percentage you add on top of the calculated volume to account for all of that.
| Material | Typical waste % | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Screened topsoil | 10–15 % | Settles after rain and irrigation |
| Mulch / bark | 10–15 % | Decomposes and packs down within a season |
| Compost | 15–20 % | High organic content compresses more |
| Gravel / crushed stone | 5–10 % | Minimal settling, spillage on edges |
| Fill dirt (compaction areas) | 20–25 % | Intentionally compacted; loses volume fast |
The formula: adjusted volume = base × (1 + waste % ÷ 100). At 10 % on 12 yd³, that’s 13.2—round up to the supplier’s nearest half-yard and order 13.5.
One Yard, Two Beds, and a Trench
Project: Refresh a backyard with topsoil for a 20 × 12 ft raised bed, a 6-ft-diameter tree ring, and a 40 ft mulch border that’s 1.5 ft wide. All at 4 in. depth. Waste factor 10 %.
- Raised bed: 20 × 12 × 0.333 = 80 cu ft
- Tree ring: π × 3² × 0.333 = 9.4 cu ft
- Mulch border: 40 × 1.5 × 0.333 = 20 cu ft
- Total: 80 + 9.4 + 20 = 109.4 cu ft ≈ 4.05 yd³
- With 10 % waste: 4.05 × 1.10 = 4.46 yd³ → order 4.5 yd³
Weight check: Screened topsoil runs about 75 lb/cu ft. At 120.3 cu ft (after waste) that’s roughly 9,023 lb — 4.5 tons. A standard tandem dump truck handles 10–14 tons, so one delivery covers it.
Skip the waste factor and you order 4 yd³—half a yard short after the first rain settles the soil. That’s a $35–$50 second delivery fee for $30 worth of material.
Weight Matters More Than Volume at the Scale
Some suppliers charge per cubic yard; others weigh the truck and bill per ton. Enter a bulk density (lb/cu ft) and the tool converts your adjusted volume into pounds and tons so you have both numbers ready.
- Topsoil: 70–80 lb/cu ft
- Compost: 35–50 lb/cu ft
- Sand: 95–105 lb/cu ft
- Gravel: 85–100 lb/cu ft
- Mulch (wood): 20–30 lb/cu ft
Moisture swings these ranges. Wet topsoil can hit 90 lb/cu ft; bone-dry compost drops to 30. Ask your supplier—they track density because their scales show it every load.
The Depth Mistake That Doubles Your Order
- Entering inches into a field set to feet. You want 4 inches of mulch. You type “4” and the unit is still on feet. Now the tool calculates 4 ft of depth—twelve times more material than you need. Always confirm the unit dropdown matches the number you’re typing, especially for depth.
- Measuring only the deepest spot on sloped ground. If a bed slopes 3 inches from one end to the other, measuring at the deep end and calling it 6 in. overstates the volume. Measure at three or four points, average them, and enter that average as your depth.
- Skipping the waste factor on compost. Compost loses 15–20 % of its volume within weeks as it settles and continues decomposing. Order the base volume and you’ll be topdressing again next month. Fifteen percent on a 5-yd³ order is less than one extra yard —cheap insurance.
- Forgetting to add all sections. A front-yard bed, a side mulch strip, and a backyard garden are three separate shapes. Calculating only the biggest one and guessing the rest almost always undershoots. Add every section—the tool sums them automatically.
Supplier Questions You Should Have Answers To
How much topsoil do I need for 1,000 sq ft at 3 inches? 1,000 × 0.25 = 250 cu ft ÷ 27 = 9.3 yd³. Add 10 % waste: 10.2 yd³. Order 10.5 if the yard sells in half-yard increments.
Bags or bulk? A 40-lb bag holds about 0.75 cu ft. Covering 9.3 yd³ in bags means ~335 bags at $4–$6 each—over $1,300. Bulk delivery for the same volume runs $300–$450 plus a delivery fee. Bulk wins on anything past about 2 yd³.
Can I use this for concrete? The volume math is identical, but concrete has its own ordering conventions (ready-mix increments, minimum truck charges). Use the output here as a starting point and confirm with the batch plant.
What if my bed is an odd shape? Break it into rectangles and circles, enter each as a separate section, and let the tool sum them. For a truly irregular outline, calculate the area in the irregular plot area calculator, then enter that area and depth here as a custom section.
Rounding and Limits
Volume formulas are exact for the dimensions you enter—any error comes from measuring, not math. Conversions use standard NIST factors (1 yd³ = 27 ft³, 1 m³ = 35.3147 ft³). Weight estimates depend on bulk density, which varies with moisture and compaction; treat the tonnage as a planning number, not a scale reading. Verify final quantities with your supplier before scheduling delivery.
Need to figure out the area first? Calculate plot area from dimensions and come back with the square footage.