{
  "slug": "topsoil-cubic-yards-calculator",
  "title": "Topsoil Cubic Yards Calculator",
  "heading": "Topsoil Cubic Yards Calculator",
  "category": "other",
  "url": "https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/topsoil-cubic-yards-calculator",
  "summary": "Convert a garden bed or lawn area and fill depth into cubic yards of topsoil to order.",
  "description": "Topsoil for a new garden bed, raised bed fill, or lawn leveling job is sold by the cubic yard, and getting the volume right matters because topsoil delivery minimums and per-yard pricing make both under- and over-ordering costly. This calculator takes your area and desired fill depth, converts to cubic feet, divides by 27 to get cubic yards, and adds a settling allowance since loose delivered topsoil compacts by 10-20% once watered in and settled, meaning the fluffy pile dropped in your driveway will end up shorter than it looked. For raised beds, a common approach is planning 8-12 inches of quality topsoil/compost blend; for lawn leveling or overseeding topdressing, depths are much shallower at 0.25-0.5 inches spread thinly across the whole yard. The tool reports both the raw volume and the settlement-adjusted order quantity so you're not left an inch short after the soil has had a few weeks and a couple rains to compact down to its true resting volume.",
  "formula": "Cubic Yards = (Area × Depth ft) ÷ 27, × (1 + Settling%).",
  "dateModified": "2026-09-06",
  "run_url": "https://www.revenuelab.fyi/api/public/calc?tool=topsoil-cubic-yards-calculator",
  "inputs": [
    {
      "id": "area",
      "label": "Area",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 100,
      "unit": "sq ft",
      "min": 1,
      "max": null
    },
    {
      "id": "depthIn",
      "label": "Fill depth",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 8,
      "unit": "in",
      "min": 0.25,
      "max": 36
    },
    {
      "id": "settlingPct",
      "label": "Settling allowance",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 15,
      "unit": "%",
      "min": 0,
      "max": 30
    }
  ],
  "outputs": [
    {
      "id": "cubicYards",
      "label": "Topsoil to order",
      "format": "decimal",
      "hint": "cu yd",
      "primary": true
    },
    {
      "id": "cubicYardsRaw",
      "label": "Raw volume (no settling)",
      "format": "decimal",
      "hint": null,
      "primary": false
    },
    {
      "id": "cubicFeet",
      "label": "Total cubic feet",
      "format": "decimal",
      "hint": null,
      "primary": false
    }
  ],
  "worked_example": {
    "inputs": [
      "Area: 100 sq ft",
      "Fill depth: 8 in",
      "Settling allowance: 15 %"
    ],
    "outputs": [
      "Topsoil to order: 2.84",
      "Raw volume (no settling): 2.47",
      "Total cubic feet: 66.7"
    ]
  },
  "how_to": {
    "title": "How to use this",
    "steps": [
      "Enter area (sq ft).",
      "Enter fill depth (in).",
      "Enter settling allowance (%).",
      "Read your topsoil to order on the right — it updates as you type.",
      "Hit Share to keep the scenario or send it to someone."
    ]
  },
  "scenarios": [
    {
      "name": "Conservative",
      "description": "Lower-end numbers — what if things land soft?",
      "values": {
        "area": 60,
        "depthIn": 4.8,
        "settlingPct": 9
      }
    },
    {
      "name": "Typical",
      "description": "Defaults — the most common real-world setup.",
      "values": {
        "area": 100,
        "depthIn": 8,
        "settlingPct": 15
      }
    },
    {
      "name": "Ambitious",
      "description": "Higher-end numbers — what if things really pop?",
      "values": {
        "area": 160,
        "depthIn": 12.8,
        "settlingPct": 24
      }
    }
  ],
  "limitations": [
    "Estimates assume standard, average conditions — local rules, pricing, and materials vary.",
    "Results are rounded for readability; add a buffer before ordering, booking, or committing.",
    "Double-check anything with a real cost attached against a local quote."
  ],
  "faq": [
    {
      "q": "How deep should topsoil be for a new lawn?",
      "a": "4-6 inches of quality topsoil over the graded subgrade is a common standard before seeding or sodding a new lawn area."
    },
    {
      "q": "How deep should a raised garden bed be filled?",
      "a": "8-12 inches of topsoil/compost blend supports most vegetables and annuals well; deeper beds (18-24 in) benefit root vegetables and perennials but cost proportionally more to fill."
    },
    {
      "q": "Why does topsoil need a settling allowance?",
      "a": "Loose delivered topsoil is fluffed up from the loader bucket and will compact 10-20% once watered, rained on, and given a few weeks to settle, so ordering only the bare calculated volume often leaves beds visibly low afterward."
    },
    {
      "q": "Is bagged topsoil cheaper than bulk delivery for small jobs?",
      "a": "For volumes under about 1-2 cubic yards, bagged topsoil (typically 0.75 or 1 cubic foot per bag) is often more practical since it avoids bulk delivery minimums, even though the per-cubic-yard cost is higher."
    }
  ],
  "related": [
    "https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/mulch-cubic-yards-calculator",
    "https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/sod-pallets-calculator",
    "https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/gravel-cubic-yards-calculator"
  ],
  "license": "CC-BY-4.0",
  "citation": "RevenueLab — Topsoil Cubic Yards Calculator (https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/topsoil-cubic-yards-calculator)"
}