How to use this calculator
- Select the measurement system.
- Measure each lawn, bed, or raised area.
- Enter the planned soil depth for each area.
- Add waste if appropriate and calculate the combined topsoil volume.
How the calculation works
Each entered area is treated as a rectangular prism. Volumes are combined before the optional waste percentage is added.
Formula
Area volume = length × width × depth Total with waste = combined volume × (1 + waste % ÷ 100)
Worked example
A 12 ft × 8 ft bed filled 4 in deep contains 32 cubic feet. With 5% waste, the planning total is 33.6 cubic feet, or about 1.24 cubic yards.
Project considerations
- Settling and compaction depend on soil composition and site conditions.
- No universal soil density or weight is assumed.
- Existing grades and irregular shapes may require field adjustment.
Frequently asked questions
How is this different from Soil Volume?
Topsoil Calculator supports multiple topsoil project areas and optional waste. Soil Volume is a material-neutral geometry tool that also supports circular spaces.
Does this estimate soil weight?
No. Soil density and moisture vary too much for a universal weight conversion.