Soil is sold by the cubic yard, but the right type changes the weight and the price. This page covers topsoil, garden soil, fill dirt, and clay, and links to a calculator for each.
Which soil do you need?
Topsoil is screened surface soil for lawns and beds. Garden soil is a richer blend with compost, good for raised beds. Fill dirt is plain subsoil used to raise or level ground. Clay is heavy and drains poorly, so it is rarely bought on purpose.
The calculators on this site use a planning weight for each: topsoil 2,200 pounds per cubic yard, garden soil 1,700, fill dirt 2,400, and clay 2,700.
How to calculate cubic yards of soil
Multiply the area in square feet by the depth in feet, then divide by 27. For a 10 by 20 foot raised bed filled 12 inches deep, that is 200 cubic feet, or 7.4 cubic yards. For a lawn top dressing at 1 inch, 1,000 square feet needs only about 3.1 cubic yards.
Soil compacts and settles. Order about 10 percent extra, and more if you are filling a hole.
Soil depth guide
New lawn: 4 to 6 inches. Lawn repair or top dressing: 0.5 to 1 inch. Flower beds: 6 to 12 inches. Vegetable gardens and raised beds: 8 to 12 inches or more. Filling low spots: as needed, in layers.
Ordering tips
Ask whether the soil is screened and what is in it. Ask for a delivered price per yard, and whether there is a minimum. Keep the pile on a tarp or on a hard surface so it does not mix with your lawn.
Soil planning values
| Soil | Pounds per cubic yard | US tons per cubic yard | Square feet per yard at 4 in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Garden soil | 1,700 | 0.85 | 81 |
| Topsoil | 2,200 | 1.10 | 81 |
| Fill dirt | 2,400 | 1.20 | 81 |
| Clay | 2,700 | 1.35 | 81 |
Frequently asked questions
How many cubic yards of soil do I need?
Multiply area by depth in feet and divide by 27.
How much does a yard of topsoil weigh?
About 2,200 pounds as a planning value.
How much soil for a raised bed?
A 4 by 8 foot bed 12 inches deep needs about 1.2 cubic yards.
How much extra soil should I order?
About 10 percent.