Topsoil Calculator

Topsoil is evaluated from Length, Width and Depth / Fill. The calculation reports Cubic Feet, Cubic Yards and Estimated Tons.

Results

Thanks — we’ve logged this for review.

About the Topsoil Calculator

Topsoil is treated here as a quantitative relation between Length, Width and Depth / Fill and Cubic Feet, Cubic Yards, Estimated Tons and 40-lb Bags.

The calculator uses a multi formula configuration. Each reported value is read as a direct evaluation of the stored rules with the declared field formats and units.

Formula basis:
Cubic feet = length x width x (depth / 12)
Cubic yards = cubic feet / 27
Tons = cubic yards x 1.4 (approximate; screened topsoil weighs ~1,400 lbs/yd^3)
40-lb bags = cubic feet / 0.75 (a 40-lb bag of topsoil approximately 0.75 cubic feet)
Always add 5 - 10% for settling and waste.

Interpret the outputs in the order shown by the result fields. Optional inputs affect only the outputs that depend on those variables.

Formula & How It Works

The calculation applies the following relations exactly as recorded in the metadata:

Cubic feet = length x width x (depth / 12)
Cubic yards = cubic feet / 27
Tons = cubic yards x 1.4 (approximate; screened topsoil weighs ~1,400 lbs/yd^3)
40-lb bags = cubic feet / 0.75 (a 40-lb bag of topsoil approximately 0.75 cubic feet)
Always add 5 - 10% for settling and waste.

Each output field is produced by substituting the supplied inputs into the relevant relation and then applying the declared rounding or text format.

Worked Examples

Example 1: Raised vegetable bed: 12 ft × 4 ft × 10 in deep

Inputs

length: 12 width: 4 depth: 10

Cubic Feet: 40 ft^3. Cubic Yards: 1.48 yd^3. Estimated Tons: 2.07 tons. 40-lb Bags: 54 bags

With Length = 12, Width = 4 and Depth / Fill = 10 as the stated inputs, the result is Cubic Feet = 40 ft^3, Cubic Yards = 1.48 yd^3 and Estimated Tons = 2.07 tons. Each value corresponds to the declared output fields.

Example 2: New lawn: 50 ft × 30 ft, 4-inch topsoil layer

Inputs

length: 50 width: 30 depth: 4

Cubic Feet: 500 ft^3. Cubic Yards: 18.52 yd^3. Estimated Tons: 25.93 tons. 40-lb Bags: 667 bags

With Length = 50, Width = 30 and Depth / Fill = 4 as the stated inputs, the result is Cubic Feet = 500 ft^3, Cubic Yards = 18.52 yd^3 and Estimated Tons = 25.93 tons. Each value corresponds to the declared output fields.

Example 3: Lawn leveling: 40 ft × 25 ft, 1 inch of topdressing

Inputs

length: 40 width: 25 depth: 1

Cubic Feet: 83.3 ft^3. Cubic Yards: 3.09 yd^3. Estimated Tons: 4.32 tons. 40-lb Bags: 112 bags

With Length = 40, Width = 25 and Depth / Fill = 1 as the stated inputs, the result is Cubic Feet = 83.3 ft^3, Cubic Yards = 3.09 yd^3 and Estimated Tons = 4.32 tons. Each value corresponds to the declared output fields.

Example 4: Garden bed expansion: 25 ft × 8 ft, 8 inches

Inputs

length: 25 width: 8 depth: 8

Cubic Feet: 133.3 ft^3. Cubic Yards: 4.94 yd^3. Estimated Tons: 6.91 tons. 40-lb Bags: 178 bags

With Length = 25, Width = 8 and Depth / Fill = 8 as the stated inputs, the result is Cubic Feet = 133.3 ft^3, Cubic Yards = 4.94 yd^3 and Estimated Tons = 6.91 tons. Each value corresponds to the declared output fields.

Common Use Cases

Calculate topsoil to fill a raised garden bed
Estimate topsoil for lawn leveling or overseeding
Determine topsoil needed for a new landscaping area