How much does topsoil cost?

Delivered in Florida, topsoil starts from $46.03/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.

How deep should topsoil be for a new lawn?

4–6 inches over loosened subgrade. Anything less leaves roots in compacted construction subsoil and the lawn fails by mid-summer.

What is the difference between topsoil and garden soil?

Topsoil is bulk screened earth — sandy in Florida. Garden soil is a blended mix with compost and amendments. Use topsoil for lawns and grading, garden mix for vegetables and flowers.

Can I top dress an existing lawn?

Yes. Spread 1/4–1/2 inch of sandy topsoil over the lawn and rake it into the canopy. It fills low spots and improves soil over time without burying the grass.

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.

Topsoil calculator · cubic yards

Topsoil Calculator

How much topsoil do you need? Measure your lawn or beds 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

15 yd³

of Topsoil

covers 1,000 sq ft at 4″ · 1 dump truck

1,000 sq ft × 4 in ÷ 12 ÷ 27 = 12.35 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 topsoil cover?

Cubic yards = area (sq ft) × depth (in) ÷ 12 ÷ 27. The calculator then adds the buffer for compaction and spreading and rounds up.

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

Before the buffer. Updated November 2026

How much topsoil for common projects

Swipe the table sideways →

Project	Depth	Area	Estimate
New lawn 1,000 sq ft	4″	1,000 sq ft	~13 cubic yards
Raised bed 4 ft × 8 ft	12″	32 sq ft	~1.2 cubic yards
Front yard regrade 500 sq ft	3″	500 sq ft	~4.7 cubic yards
Top dressing 2,000 sq ft	1/2″	2,000 sq ft	~3 cubic yards
Garden bed 200 sq ft	8″	200 sq ft	~5 cubic yards

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

Topsoil, garden soil or compost?

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

Topsoil mistakes to avoid

Topsoil too shallow

A 1-inch layer over compacted clay fails. Roots cannot establish. Plan 4–6 inches for new lawns, more for beds.

Skipping the subgrade prep

Topsoil on top of compacted construction subsoil drains poorly. Loosen the top 4 inches of subgrade before spreading topsoil.

Wrong soil type

Florida "screened topsoil" is mostly sand. For vegetable gardens you want a garden soil mix with compost — see related calculators.

Forgetting settlement

Topsoil settles 10–20% in the first month after watering. Order to your finished grade, not the freshly dumped pile.