Landscaping Material Calculator
A 30×15 ft bed at 3 in deep needs 4.2 cu yd of topsoil ($110–$250 bulk). Enter your area, depth, and material for an exact cubic-yard estimate.
Inputs
Estimate
- Area450 sq ft
- Cubic yards needed4.17cu yd
- Cubic feet needed112.50
- Cost — low$104
- Cost — high$250
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Try Remodel AI freeHow to calculate landscaping materials
Any bulk landscaping material — topsoil, compost, mulch, fill dirt, sand, or gravel — uses the same volume formula: length × width × depth in feet, divided by 27 to get cubic yards. Convert inches to feet by dividing by 12.
Topsoil depth recommendations: 2 inches for lawn topdressing, 4 inches for new lawn seedbed, 6 inches for garden beds, 8–12 inches for vegetable gardens. Compost is mixed at 1–3 inches into the top 6 inches of soil.
Bulk delivery is dramatically cheaper than bags above 1 cubic yard. Pickup trucks hold 1.5–2 cu yd. Most suppliers have a 1-ton minimum delivery.
Formulas used
- Cubic yards
(length × width × depth_inches/12) / 27Universal volume formula for bulk landscape materials.
Frequently asked questions
How much topsoil do I need for a 30×15 ft area at 3 inches deep?+
30 × 15 × 0.25 / 27 = 4.17 cubic yards. Round up to 4.5 cubic yards. At $25–$60 per cubic yard, that's $113–$270.
How many cubic yards in a ton of topsoil?+
Approximately 0.75 cubic yards per ton (or 1.33 tons per cubic yard) for dry topsoil. Wet topsoil is heavier: ~1.5 tons per cubic yard.
How deep should topsoil be for a new lawn?+
4–6 inches of topsoil before seeding or sodding. Mix the top 2 inches with the existing subsoil to prevent a hard layer that roots can't penetrate.
Can I use fill dirt instead of topsoil?+
Only as the bottom layer to build up elevation. Fill dirt is usually clay-heavy and not good for growing. Always finish with 4–6 inches of real topsoil on top before planting.
How much does bulk topsoil cost?+
$25–$60 per cubic yard delivered. Bagged topsoil costs 3–5× more per cubic yard. For any project over 1 cubic yard, bulk delivery is dramatically cheaper.