*Includes standard 10% waste.
To estimate the amount of soil needed for a landscape bed, you need to measure the length, width, and depth of the garden space that you are looking to fill. No need to guess when you can use a cubic yard calculator for soil to confidently complete your landscaping project. With a simple formula, you can calculate your topsoil needs in yards or tons to save time and money in the process.
On This Page:
- How to Estimate Topsoil
- Basic Formula
- What to Measure
- How to Measure Odd-Shaped Areas
- Different Types of Topsoil
- FAQs
How to Estimate Topsoil
Having enough topsoil in your garden is essential because this vital element has the highest concentration of organic matter and all the nutrients that plants need to survive. The first step to estimate your topsoil needs is to decide on a garden style or planter. With a cubic yard calculator for soil, you can get the right amount of materials needed to keep costs down and complete your project more efficiently.
Basic Formula
Before using our topsoil yard calculator, you need to gather the following measurements from your garden or lawn:
- Length in feet
- Width in feet
- Depth in feet
And this is how we are going to use those numbers. We are going to use this formula :
Length in feet x width in feet x depth in feet.
Once we have the volume, we divide that number by 27, the number of cubic feet in a cubic yard. If you are looking to convert the total into tons, the you have to divide the total volume by 21.6, the number of cubic feet that fits in a ton.
Enter this information into our calculator to compute the volume of topsoil needed for your garden and guide your budgeting and planning.
Get an estimated and get your landscaping ready for planting season.
What to Measure
Start your process by determining the preferred depth of your topsoil layer. Next, measure the length and width of your working area. Enter these values to figure out your square footage and the soil fill calculator will automatically supply the volume of topsoil needed. For your convenience, our topsoil amount calculator makes this information available in cubic yards, cubic feet, and tons.
How to Measure Odd-Shaped Areas
Don’t let your irregularly shaped workspace discourage you from gardening. Get a correct estimate easily by breaking up the area into smaller squares and rectangles. Measure the remaining space at its widest point and add the totals to the topsoil bag calculator, for an effortless estimate of your landscaping needs.
Hire a lawn care professional to help with your home gardening needs.
Different Types of Topsoil
Topsoil consists of decaying organic matter and broken-down rock materials. They type of topsoil needed depends on your geographical location and weather.
| Sandy Soil | Dries fast in sunny weather Does not hold water very well Use with mulch to avoid washing away of minerals |
| Clay Soil | Feels sticky and elastic Impermeable to water Requires drainage Rich in ingredients |
| Loamy Soil | Richest in nutrients Holds water Great for farming |
Find the best topsoil delivery and have it delivered straight to your home.
FAQ:
How deep should topsoil be?
Topsoil can range from very shallow to very deep. Very shallow topsoil measures less than 10 inches in depth, while very deep topsoil is more than 60 inches deep. Plants grow best in deep topsoil, which is 36 inches.
How much does a yard of topsoil cover?
One yard of topsoil covers 324 square feet of soil with a depth of 1 inch, or 100 square feet with a depth of 3 inches.
What is the difference between topsoil and garden soil?
Garden soil is topsoil enriched with compost and organic matter. It is best for sod, seed, gardens and raised beds.
When should I use topsoil in my garden?
Topsoil is ideal for larger projects that require greater soil volume, while garden soil is perfect for planting in flower or vegetable beds.
A cubic yard is an imperial measurement and is used to measure and record the volume of a particular substance. A cubic yard is equivalent to a cube sized container, with each of its dimensions (height, depth, width) measuring one yard, or almost three and a half feet, in length. The cubic yard is used in countries such as Britain, America and Canada. On the other hand, a ton is a measurement of weight, so the conversion of a measurement of a ton to that of a cubic yard is a little complicated. This is because one measures volume, the other measures weight - it is much simpler to convert measurements which measure the same thing, for example, to convert centimeters into inches, as they both measure length. Also, the figures will depend on the density of the "dirt" you wish to measure. For example, wet dirt will be denser than dry dirt, so a cubic yard of wet dirt would contain more weight than a cubic yard of dry dirt.
According to online calculators, one cubic yard is equivalent to 0.27 tons. Therefore, two cubic yards are equivalent to 0.54 tons, three cubic yards are equivalent to 0.81 tons and so on. However, when taking measurements, you should take into consideration what I said above about density - the density of your substance could severely affect your measurements. It may be a good idea to get in touch with a local builder, contractor or other such professional, as they may be able to help you calculate the exact measurements of your "dirt" more accurately. This service will probably be free, just as getting a quote for the services provided by the professional is usually free.
For a good online calculator which can convert tons to cubic yards and vice versa, you should try here: //www.unitconversion.org/volume/cubic-yards-to-ton-registers-conversion.html. This calculator is very easy to use, free, and is also quick at returning your measurements.
Dry excavated earth weighs approx. 1 ton per cubic yd., average moisture fill dirt 1 1/2 tons per yd.
A ton of dirt? 1 cubic yard of dry sand roughly weighs 1 ton (2,000 lbs).
1 yard = 3 feet
1 cubic yard = 27 cubic feet (3 feet x 3 feet x 3 feet)
1 cubic foot = 12 inches x 12 inches x 12 inches (or 1 foot by 1 foot by 1 foot).
A cube is an object that has 3 dimensions:
Width, length, and depth. So, when something is said to be cubed it means that it is measured in the 3 dimensions of width x length x depth.
On the other hand, a square casually refers to an object of 2 dimensions: Width and length. When something is said to be "squared" it means it is measured in the 2 dimensions of width x height.
Cubic measurements are used for measuring volumes. Think of an ice cube, for example, it has 3 dimensions.
Square measurements are used for measuring
areas. A house lot, for instance, may be said to be so many square feet. This refers to the area of the land that the house sits on.
A square yard and a cubic yard, what's the difference? A square yard is when you square two sides that measure 3 feet each. That is, 3 feet in width times 3 feet in length equals 9 squared feet (3 x 3 = 9). A cubic yard, as described above, is when you cube 3 feet. That is, 3 feet times 3 feet times 3 feet equals 27 cubed feet (3 x 3 x 3 = 27).