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How to Know Exactly How Much Topsoil You Need—Without Wasting Time or Money

Learn how to calculate exactly how much topsoil you need for your lawn, garden, or raised bed in Salt Lake City. Save time, money, and avoid delivery mistakes with this simple guide.
Infographic showing formula to calculate topsoil volume: Length × Width × Depth ÷ 324, with an illustrated 20x15 ft area at 6 inches deep equaling 5.6 cubic yards.

Don’t Guesstimate—Calculate Your Topsoil Needs Like a Pro

Whether you’re prepping for sod, leveling out your backyard, or building raised beds, one question stops most homeowners in their tracks:

“How much topsoil do I actually need?”

Over-order and you waste money. Under-order and you stall your project mid-way. Fortunately, with the right formula (and a few real-world tips), it’s easy to get it right the first time—especially if you’re ordering in bulk in Salt Lake City.

Step 1: Understand How Topsoil Is Measured

Topsoil is typically sold by the cubic yard, not by the bag.
1 cubic yard = 27 cubic feet

Coverage depends on how deep you need the soil to be. Here’s a quick reference:

Depth (inches)Area Covered by 1 Yard
1 inch324 sq ft
2 inches162 sq ft
3 inches108 sq ft
6 inches54 sq ft

Step 2: Use the Topsoil Formula

To calculate how many cubic yards you need:

Length (ft) × Width (ft) × Depth (inches) ÷ 324 = Cubic Yards

Step 3: Apply It to Common Salt Lake City Projects

For Lawn Installation (Sod or Seed)

Recommended depth: 3–4 inches
Example: 20 ft × 30 ft area @ 3″
20 × 30 × 3 ÷ 324 = 5.5 yards
Order 6 cubic yards to be safe

For Raised Garden Beds

Recommended depth: 10–12 inches (or mix with compost)
Example: 4 ft × 8 ft × 12” = 32 cubic feet
32 ÷ 27 = 1.18 yards
Order 1.25–1.5 yards

For Leveling Uneven Lawns

Recommended depth: 1–2 inches
Example: 15 ft × 20 ft @ 2″
15 × 20 × 2 ÷ 324 = 1.85 yards
Order 2 cubic yards

Step 4: Round Up for Compaction and Margin

Soil settles, and you’ll want a little wiggle room. Always round up to the nearest 0.5 yard—especially if you’re filling deep areas or dealing with rocky native soil.

Step 5: Save Time with Bulk Delivery

Ordering in bulk isn’t just easier—it’s smarter:

  • Save money per yard compared to bags
  • Avoid multiple trips to the store
  • Get $75 full truck delivery (10+ yards) anywhere in Salt Lake, Utah, or Davis Counties

Order screened topsoil now

Bonus Tip: Use a Topsoil + Compost Mix for Gardens

Want richer results? Our Topsoil + Compost Mix is ideal for flower beds, vegetables, and raised boxes. It provides structure and nutrition.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How deep should topsoil be for new grass?
A: 3–4 inches is ideal. Add more if you’re dealing with rocky or clay-heavy soil.

Q: What if my project area is curved or irregular?
A: Break it into smaller rectangles, circles, or triangles. Estimate each part, then add the totals together.

Q: Can I mix topsoil into existing soil instead of adding a full layer?
A: Yes! For basic lawn repair or root zone improvement, mixing in 1–2 inches of topsoil can make a big difference.

Premium Compost 1/2″ minus (Premium Organic)

Let’s Do the Heavy Lifting

Now that you know how to calculate exactly what you need, skip the guesswork and go straight to the good part: delivery.

Get bulk topsoil delivered to your Salt Lake City home with our $75 full truck special.

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