How deep should topsoil be?
| Job | Depth | Yards per 1,000 sq ft |
|---|---|---|
| Top-dress an existing lawn | ¼–½" | 0.8–1.5 |
| Fill low spots / overseed | 1–2" | 3.1–6.2 |
| New lawn (seed or sod) | 4–6" | 12.3–18.5 |
| New planting bed | 8–12" | 24.7–37 |
Exact volumes are shown. Add 10–20% extra, because loose soil settles as it's watered and walked on.
Topsoil vs. fill dirt vs. garden mix
Fill dirt is subsoil with little organic matter. It's cheap, and it's for raising grade under something, not for growing in. Screened topsoil is the growing layer for lawns. Garden mix blends topsoil with compost and is what raised beds and vegetables want. Buying the wrong one is a common, expensive mistake.
Common questions
How much does a yard of topsoil weigh?
Dry, screened topsoil runs about 1–1.2 tons (2,000–2,400 lb) per yard. Wet soil can be 1.5 tons or more, so don't load a pickup by eye.
How much topsoil do I need for a new lawn?
Lay 4–6" of topsoil over loosened subsoil for seed or sod. For 1,000 sq ft at 4", that's 12.3 yd³, about 13.6 yards with 10% extra.
How much soil do I need for a raised bed?
Multiply the bed's length × width × height. A 4 × 8 bed 12" tall needs 32 cu ft, or 1.2 yards. Use a garden mix or a topsoil/compost blend, not plain topsoil, and expect it to settle 10–20% in the first season.
How many bags of topsoil are in a yard?
36 bags of the common 0.75 cu ft size, or 27 one-cubic-foot bags. For more than a yard, bulk is nearly always cheaper.
Prices last checked October 2026.