How much does soil cost?

Delivered in Florida, topsoil starts from $46.03/yd³ and garden soil mix starts from $56.29/yd³ on a full truck (about 18 yd³). For a small load, 2 yd³ from $432.68 delivered (topsoil). Delivery is included, with no separate fee; the minimum order is 1 yd³, and smaller loads cost more per yd³. Calculate above, then enter your ZIP for your exact quote.

What is the difference between topsoil and fill dirt?

Topsoil is the nutrient-rich upper layer with organic matter where plants grow. Fill dirt is subsoil with little to no organic content — used for raising grade or filling holes. Topsoil costs more per yard than fill dirt.

How much topsoil do I need for a new lawn?

4–6 inches over loosened subgrade. A 500 sq ft area at 4 inches deep needs about 6 cubic yards.

What goes in a raised garden bed?

A common blend is roughly 60% garden soil mix, 30% topsoil, and 10% compost — plus optional coarse sand for drainage.

Can I plant directly in red clay?

Red clay holds water and nutrients but compacts easily. For planting, amend it heavily with compost and coarse sand. For arenas or base fill, it is used straight.

Does soil settle after delivery?

10–20% in the first month after watering and traffic. The calculator buffer accounts for this — order to your finished grade.

How many cubic yards fit in a dump truck?

A full load is about 18 cubic yards. Bigger orders go out in more than one load, and the calculator shows the truck count with your result. Delivery is in the price, so a full load is the cheapest per yard.

Do I need to be home for delivery?

Best if someone is there to show the driver the spot. Not required: ask for a photo of the drop. Dumped from the street or driveway. A backyard works if the entrance is wide enough. Off the public road, you take responsibility for any damage. It comes in one pile and isn’t spread. Delivery in 2–3 business days, on a weekday you choose.

Dirt calculator · cubic yards

Soil Calculator

How much soil do you need? Pick the soil, measure each area and get the cubic yards.

1 · Material

2 · Two quick choices: depth, then size

2a · Pick a depth

2b · Then measure your areas

Length × width in feet. Add as many areas as you need; we add them up.

LengthftWidthft

Recommended order

6 yd³

of Topsoil

covers 400 sq ft at 4″ · 1 dump truck

400 sq ft × 4 in ÷ 12 ÷ 27 = 4.94 yd³. Plus 15% for settling and spreading, rounded up to a whole yd³.

3 · Get your delivered quote

One cubic yard of topsoil

= 27 cubic feet
covers 81 sq ft at 4″
weighs about 2200 lb
a full truck is about 18 yd³

Convert tons ↔ cubic yards →

About this material: Topsoil →

How much does a yard of soil cover?

Cubic yards = area (sq ft) × depth (in) ÷ 12 ÷ 27. Tons = cubic yards × the material’s density. The calculator then adds the buffer for compaction and spreading and rounds up. Tons use our catalog densities: red clay 1.3 t/yd³; baseball clay 1.3 t/yd³.

Swipe the table sideways →

Material	Depth	Used for	Coverage	Per 100 sq ft
Topsoil	2″	Fill low spots and level a lawn.	162 sq ft per yd³	0.62 yd³
Topsoil	4″	New lawn or sod. (typical)	81 sq ft per yd³	1.23 yd³
Topsoil	6″	New planting bed.	54 sq ft per yd³	1.85 yd³
Garden Soil Mix	6″	In-ground beds over loosened soil.	54 sq ft per yd³	1.85 yd³
Garden Soil Mix	12″	Most vegetables. (typical)	27 sq ft per yd³	3.7 yd³
Garden Soil Mix	18″	Tomatoes and root crops.	18 sq ft per yd³	5.56 yd³
Compost	½″	Top-dress a lawn.	648 sq ft per yd³	0.15 yd³
Compost	1″	Top-dress beds. (typical)	324 sq ft per yd³	0.31 yd³
Compost	2″	Mix into new beds.	162 sq ft per yd³	0.62 yd³
Fill Dirt	6″	One compacted 6″ lift.	54 sq ft per yd³	1.85 yd³
Fill Dirt	12″	Most low spots and grading. (typical)	27 sq ft per yd³	3.7 yd³
Fill Dirt	2 ft	Deep fill, placed in 6–8″ lifts.	14 sq ft per yd³	7.41 yd³
Red Clay	4″	Thin compacted cap.	62 sq ft per ton	1.6 tons
Red Clay	6″	Compacted base, in 6–8″ layers. (typical)	42 sq ft per ton	2.41 tons
Red Clay	12″	Pond liners need 12″ or more.	21 sq ft per ton	4.81 tons
Baseball Clay	1″	Resurface worn areas.	249 sq ft per ton	0.4 tons
Baseball Clay	2″	Infield top layer. (typical)	125 sq ft per ton	0.8 tons
Baseball Clay	4″	Rebuild a mound or plate area.	62 sq ft per ton	1.6 tons

Before the buffer. Updated November 2026

How much soil for common projects

Swipe the table sideways →

Project	Depth	Area	Estimate
New lawn 1,000 sq ft topsoil	4″	1,000 sq ft	~13 cubic yards
Raised bed 4 ft × 8 ft garden mix	12″	32 sq ft	~1.2 cubic yards
Low-spot fill 500 sq ft	6″	500 sq ft	~9 cubic yards fill dirt
Top dressing 2,000 sq ft	1/2″	2,000 sq ft	~3 cubic yards screened topsoil
Equestrian arena footing refresh	3″	5,000 sq ft	~46 cubic yards red clay

Before the buffer. Measure your own areas above for an order quantity.

Which soil: topsoil, garden mix, compost, fill dirt or clay?

Delivered by dump truck. “From” prices are per yd³ on a full truck, delivery included; the second line is the smallest load.

Topsoil →Screened topsoil for lawns, sod and leveling.From $46.03/yd³ on a full truck2 yd³ from $432.68 delivered

Garden Soil Mix →A blended mix for raised beds and vegetables.From $56.29/yd³ on a full truck2 yd³ from $456.24 delivered

Compost →Organic matter to top-dress beds and lawns.From $46.03/yd³ on a full truck2 yd³ from $432.68 delivered

Fill Dirt →Bulk fill for grading and low spots.From $28.07/yd³ on a full truck2 yd³ from $391.48 delivered

Red Clay →Compactable clay for bases and pond liners.From $59.39/ton on a full truck2 tons from $603.40 delivered

Baseball Clay →Infield and mound clay for ballfields.From $72.42/ton on a full truck2 tons from $500.38 delivered

Soil mistakes to avoid

Confusing topsoil with fill dirt

Topsoil grows plants. Fill dirt is structural subsoil with no organic matter. Buying the wrong one wastes money — fill dirt costs less per yard and does not support a lawn.

Soil layer too shallow

A 1-inch topsoil layer over compacted subgrade fails. Plan 4–6 inches for lawns and 8–12 inches for beds so roots have room to establish.

Pure compost in beds

Compost holds too much water and can burn roots. Cap it at 10–20% of the fill volume. The rest should be garden soil mix or topsoil.

Skipping subgrade prep

Soil on top of compacted construction subsoil drains poorly and stunts roots. Loosen the top 4 inches of subgrade before spreading topsoil.

Forgetting settlement

Soil settles 10–20% in the first month after watering. Order to your finished grade plus the buffer, not the strict math.

Soil calculator questions

Length × Width × Depth ÷ 27 (depth in inches divided by 12). A 1,000 sq ft lawn at 4 inches needs about 13 cubic yards of topsoil.

Need another material? All calculators →

Know how much soil you need? Get your delivered quote.

We’ll quote your 6 yd³ of topsoil, delivery included.