Worked example: 4 inches deep
| Step | Math | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Area | about 40 ft × 25 ft | 1,000 sq ft |
| Volume at 4 in | 1,000 × 4 ÷ 12 | 333.3 ft³ |
| Add 10% for settling | 333.3 × 1.10 | 366.7 ft³ |
| Cubic yards | 366.7 ÷ 27 | 13.58 yd³ |
| Tons | 13.58 × 1.1 | 14.94 tons |
| 0.75 ft³ bags (40 lb) | 366.7 ÷ 0.75 | 489 bags |
| 1.5 ft³ bags | 366.7 ÷ 1.5 | 245 bags |
Topsoil by depth
| Depth | Cubic feet | Cubic yards (+10%) | Tons | Bulk order (yd³) | Delivered | 0.75 ft³ bags |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 in | 83.3 | 3.40 | 3.73 | 3.5 | $198 | 123 |
| 2 in | 166.7 | 6.79 | 7.47 | 7.0 | $320 | 245 |
| 4 in | 333.3 | 13.58 | 14.94 | 14.0 | $565 | 489 |
| 6 in | 500.0 | 20.37 | 22.41 | 20.5 | $792 | 734 |
Bulk delivery is cheaper at 4 inches: $1,589 in 0.75 ft³ bags versus $565 delivered. A cubic yard of topsoil weighs about 1.1 tons dry and more when wet, so check your truck or trailer limit.
Prices used: 0.75 ft³ bag $3.25, 1.5 ft³ bag $6.50; bulk topsoil $35/yd³ plus $75 delivery (1 yd³ minimum).
Spread by depth: 1/2 inch at a time for top-dressing living grass, 2 inches to level, 4–6 inches to build a new lawn. The lawn is approximated as a rectangle; use a different shape in the calculator if yours is not.
Nearby sizes
Also see 2,000 sq ft lawn , 5,000 sq ft lawn, or the topsoil size chart. Open the topsoil calculator to change the size.