Worked example: 4 inches deep
| Step | Math | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Area | about 50 ft × 40 ft | 2,000 sq ft |
| Volume at 4 in | 2,000 × 4 ÷ 12 | 666.7 ft³ |
| Add 10% for settling | 666.7 × 1.10 | 733.3 ft³ |
| Cubic yards | 733.3 ÷ 27 | 27.16 yd³ |
| Tons | 27.16 × 1.1 | 29.88 tons |
| 0.75 ft³ bags (40 lb) | 733.3 ÷ 0.75 | 978 bags |
| 1.5 ft³ bags | 733.3 ÷ 1.5 | 489 bags |
Topsoil by depth
| Depth | Cubic feet | Cubic yards (+10%) | Tons | Bulk order (yd³) | Delivered | 0.75 ft³ bags |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 in | 166.7 | 6.79 | 7.47 | 7.0 | $320 | 245 |
| 2 in | 333.3 | 13.58 | 14.94 | 14.0 | $565 | 489 |
| 4 in | 666.7 | 27.16 | 29.88 | 27.5 | $1,038 | 978 |
| 6 in | 1,000.0 | 40.74 | 44.81 | 41.0 | $1,510 | 1467 |
Bulk delivery is cheaper at 4 inches: $3,178 in 0.75 ft³ bags versus $1,038 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 1,000 sq ft lawn , 5,000 sq ft lawn , 10,000 sq ft lawn, or the topsoil size chart. Open the topsoil calculator to change the size.