Topsoil Calculator

Length, Width & Depth
Area & Depth

Length:

 

Width:

 

Area:

 

Depth:

 

The topsoil calculator determines the amount of topsoil required for a project. This could involve calculating the volume of topsoil required to create a new lawn, garden bed, or other landscaping feature.

Additionally, you can estimate the number of topsoil bags that are sufficient to meet the topsoil demands.

Our tool is simple to use, as it requires a few inputs to calculator topsoil volume. These typically include:

  • Select the inputs
  • Enter the values
  • Click Calculate
  • Get your topsoil calculations

It’s that easy!

How Do I Calculate How Much Topsoil I Need?

Steps to calculate the top soil amount include:

1. Measurement of Area:

Measure the length and width of the land to calculate the area If the land is not a rectangle, divide the complex area into smaller regions Now calculate the area for each smaller region Add up all the results to get the overall area calculation

2. Decide on the Depth of Soil Bed:

  • Decide the depth of the soil bed for the area you want to cover
  • For your convenience, subject to the following standard depths
    • New Garden Beds: 6 inches (15 cm)
    • Existing Lawns or Flower Beds: 2-3 inches (5-7.5 cm)
    • Vegetable Gardens: 6-12 inches (15-30 cm)

3. Calculate Topsoil Volume:

  • In cubic feet: Multiply the length, width, and depth in feet
  • In cubic meters: Multiply the length, width, and depth in meters

4. Convert to Bags or Cubic Yards:

  • Bags: Divide the volume by the volume of one bag (check the bag size)
  • Cubic yards: Divide the volume in cubic feet by 27 (since 1 cubic yard = 27 cubic feet)

Example:

If you have a 34ft x 8ft area and want a 6-inch depth of topsoil:

Solution:

Volume = 34ft * 8ft * 0.5ft = 40 cubic feet

Cubic yards = 40 cubic feet / 27 = 1.48 cubic yards

Practical Benefits of Our Calculator:

Anyone can use this calculator for landscaping, gardening, and construction projects. Under these areas, the tool serves various purposes, including:

Accurate Quantity Estimation:

You can calculate topsoil quantity so that you purchase that much amount and avoid spending additional expenses on extra volume.

Efficient Project Planning:

Using the top soil calculator square feet helps to determine the right soil volume for creating a certain square feet bed in a construction project.

Enhanced Landscaping Results:

Gardeners can use the tool to get the right soil volume so that the area of land can be covered with a uniform topsoil layer. Factors Affecting the Topsoil Health:

Factors Affecting Topsoil Health

Factor Description
Natural Factors
Climate Temperature, precipitation, wind
Topography Slope, aspect
Parent Material Underlying rock

Human-Induced Factors

Agricultural Practices Tillage, monoculture, overgrazing, chemical use
Deforestation Removal of vegetation cover
Urbanization and Construction Soil compaction, altered drainage
Pollution Industrial and agricultural contaminants

Consequences of Poor Topsoil Health

Reduced agricultural productivity  
Increased soil erosion  
Water pollution  
Loss of biodiversity  
Climate change  

Strategies for Improving Topsoil Health

Conservation Tillage Minimize soil disturbance
Crop Rotation Maintain soil fertility
Cover Crops Protect soil and add organic matter
Organic Matter Addition Improve soil structure and nutrients
Reduced Chemical Use Protect soil and water quality
Sustainable Land Management Conserve soil resources and environment

Related Queries:

How to Convert Yards to Tons?

Formula to convert cubic yardage to equivalent tons: Weight (Tons) = Volume (yds) × Density (Tons/yd)

How much top soil for 1000 sq ft?

You need about 13 cu yd of topsoil to cover a 1000 sq ft lawn, considering the average depth of 4 inches. However, if your desired depth is more or less, you can use the above topsoil calculator to get the right estimation for soil volume for the said area. Related:

Soil Nutrient Levels

Category Desired Results
pH Level 5.0 to 6.2
Phosphorus (P-I) Index of 50
Potassium (K-I) Index of 50
Calcium (Ca%) 40-60% of Cation Exchange

Typical Analysis of Bulk and Bagged Topsoil, NCDA

Topsoil Type HM%[a] BS% pH P-I K-I Ca% Mg%
Bulk 0.3 69 5.2 009 026 45 10
Bagged 0.7 78 5.8 166+ 178 56 12.3

Topsoil Guideline According to BS 3882

Category Desired Results
pH Level 5.5 to 8.5
Phosphate (PO₄) 16 to 140 mg/L
Potassium (K) 121 to 1500 mg/L
Magnesium (Mg) 51 to 600 mg/L
Nickel (Ni) from <60 mg/kg
Zinc (Zn) from <200 mg/kg
Copper (Cu) from <100 mg/kg

Additional References: https://www.ncagr.gov/soil-fertility-note-14-topsoil/download?attachment?attachment