Tools you might need next
Calculate mulch cubic yards or bags from bed area and depth. Estimate wood mulch, bark, and rubber mulch for landscaping beds and garden paths.
Calculate sod pallets and square footage for new lawn installation. Enter yard area to get sod rolls, pallet count, and soil prep topsoil requirements.
Calculate gravel cubic yards for driveways, paths, and drainage. Enter area and depth to get tons, cubic yards, and dump truck loads for crushed stone projects.
Standard formula for any bulk material spread at uniform depth.
Cubic Yards = Area (sq ft) × Depth (in) ÷ 12 ÷ 27Topsoil is lighter than gravel — roughly 1.1–1.3 tons per cubic yard depending on moisture.
Tons ≈ Cubic Yards × 1.1–1.3Retail topsoil bags are 1 or 1.5 cu ft. Bulk economical above 2–3 yards.
Bags = ceil(Cubic Feet ÷ 1 cu ft bag size)Updated: July 2026
2000 × 1/12 ÷ 27 = 6.2 cu yd. Spread thin and rake — multiple thin layers better than one deep dump.
48 × 1 ft depth ÷ 27 = 1.8 cu yd. Blend topsoil with compost 2:1 for raised beds.
300 × 0.5 ft ÷ 27 = 5.6 cu yd screened topsoil. Till into native soil for transition zone.
Estimate screened topsoil for lawn leveling, new beds, and fill projects. Enter area and spread depth to get cubic yards, approximate tons, and bag count before bulk delivery or bag purchase.