MaterialScope
Home / Landscaping / Topsoil Calculator
Landscaping / Material planning

Topsoil Calculator

Plan topsoil volume for a rectangular area, with an editable settling allowance and density.

Your project measurements

ft
ft
in
lb/ft³
%
$

Results update as you type. U.S. units. Defaults are editable planning examples. Use product labels and supplier specifications.

Your material plan

Enter your measurements to see your plan.

A quantity estimate, not a supplier quote. Confirm order increments, delivery and project specifications.

MaterialScope.com · Plan it. Measure it. Build it.

How this calculation works

Enter measurements above to see the worked calculation.

Plan the finished layer and the loose delivery

A 20 by 12-foot area filled 6 inches deep has a net volume of 120 cubic feet, or 4.4444 cubic yards. A 10% allowance gives 4.8889 cubic yards. The allowance is an editable planning assumption for settling and handling, not a measured compaction factor.

Soil density varies considerably

The example density of 75 lb/ft³ is only for illustrating a weight estimate. Moisture and soil composition change delivery weight. Ask the supplier for density and a volume/weight basis. Topsoil quality, drainage and suitability for planting need to be considered separately from quantity.

Make the estimate your own

Measure the actual area, choose your product and update the allowance. Costs use the price you enter. Delivery, tax, labor and preparation are excluded unless this tool has a separate field for them. The result rounds whole packages up; displayed decimal quantities are not supplier order increments.

Before you order

  • Check dimensions and units, including depth and openings.
  • Confirm the selected product’s coverage, yield or density.
  • Ask your supplier about package sizes, minimum orders and delivery access.
  • Keep a copy of your measurements with your material plan.

Method v1.0 · Updated October 12, 2026. Read our methodology.