Topsoil Calculator
Enter the finished coverage dimensions and soil depth. The tool reports order volume and an approximate mass; natural moisture and compaction make delivered quantities variable.
How to use this calculator
Measure each bed or lawn area.
Enter the intended finished topsoil depth.
Review the default 10% allowance and replace density with supplier data when possible.
Formula
Order volume = area × depth × (1 + allowance). Mass = order volume × bulk density.
Worked example
A 10 m × 5 m bed at 0.10 m depth is 5 m³. A 10% allowance produces an order estimate of 5.5 m³.
Assumptions and limits
- Default density is 1,330 kg/m³ and is editable.
- Default extra material is 10%.
- Settling, organic content, and moisture are not modeled.
Sources
Related calculators
Frequently asked questions
Does topsoil settle after placement?
It often does. The allowance can cover some settling, but use a local supplier or landscape specification for critical finished elevations.
Can I use metric and US customary units in the Topsoil Calculator?
Yes. Unit changes convert the same canonical measurement; they do not reinterpret or round your original value.
When does the calculator round?
The calculation keeps full precision internally and rounds only the displayed result. Whole packages are rounded up at the final step.
Last updated · formula-v1 · content-2026-08-14 · Trusty Calculator Editorial Team