Worked example: 4 inches deep
| Step | Math | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Area | about 100 ft × 50 ft | 5,000 sq ft |
| Volume at 4 in | 5,000 × 4 ÷ 12 | 1,666.7 ft³ |
| Add 10% for settling | 1,666.7 × 1.10 | 1,833.3 ft³ |
| Cubic yards | 1,833.3 ÷ 27 | 67.90 yd³ |
| Tons | 67.90 × 1.1 | 74.69 tons |
| 0.75 ft³ bags (40 lb) | 1,833.3 ÷ 0.75 | 2445 bags |
| 1.5 ft³ bags | 1,833.3 ÷ 1.5 | 1223 bags |
Topsoil by depth
| Depth | Cubic feet | Cubic yards (+10%) | Tons | Bulk order (yd³) | Delivered | 0.75 ft³ bags |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 in | 416.7 | 16.98 | 18.67 | 17.0 | $670 | 612 |
| 2 in | 833.3 | 33.95 | 37.35 | 34.0 | $1,265 | 1223 |
| 4 in | 1,666.7 | 67.90 | 74.69 | 68.0 | $2,455 | 2445 |
| 6 in | 2,500.0 | 101.85 | 112.04 | 102.0 | $3,645 | 3667 |
Bulk delivery is cheaper at 4 inches: $7,946 in 0.75 ft³ bags versus $2,455 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 , 10,000 sq ft lawn , 1,000 sq ft lawn, or the topsoil size chart. Open the topsoil calculator to change the size.