How Much Topsoil for 100 Square Feet?
Spreading topsoil over 100 square feet takes 1.23 cubic yards at the common 4-inch depth for new lawns and beds. How much topsoil for 100 square feet depends mostly on that depth.
Volume and tonnage calculator →Topsoil by depth over 100 sq ft
| Depth | Cubic yards | Approx. tons | 1 cu ft bags |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 in | 0.31 | 0.4 | 9 |
| 2 in | 0.62 | 0.7 | 17 |
| 3 in | 0.93 | 1.1 | 25 |
| 4 in | 1.23 | 1.5 | 34 |
| 6 in | 1.85 | 2.2 | 50 |
Tons use roughly 1.2 tons per cubic yard; wet soil is heavier, so check the supplier’s figure if they sell by weight.
Related: How Much Topsoil for 500 Square Feet?
Choosing a depth
A light top dressing of 1/4 to 1/2 inch evens out an existing lawn. Filling low spots or overseeding often uses 1 to 2 inches. A new lawn or garden is usually built on 4 to 6 inches of topsoil.
Bulk or bagged
At 1.23 yards, bags are manageable. A cubic yard of bulk topsoil is the same as 27 one-cubic-foot bags. See how much a yard of topsoil covers.
Related: How Much Topsoil for 1,000 Square Feet?
Measuring accurately
Walk the area with a tape and sketch it. Break odd shapes into rectangles and circles. If you are topping up an existing bed or lawn, measure only the new depth, since adding a full depth on top of existing soil overbuys.
Delivery and spreading
Ask the supplier where the truck can safely dump without crossing soft lawn or septic fields. Cover the pile if rain is coming. Spread with a flat shovel and a landscape rake, working from the far end back toward the pile.
Common mistakes
Buying by the bag for a large area is the classic error: dozens of bags cost far more than a bulk yard. Another is skipping compost or using unscreened soil full of clods and roots. Spreading soil when it is soaking wet compacts it and makes it hard for roots and water to move.
Questions people ask
How many yards of topsoil for 100 sq ft?
About 1.23 cubic yards at 4 inches deep.
How much topsoil for 100 sq ft at 2 inches?
About 0.62 cubic yards.
How deep should topsoil be for a new lawn?
About 4 to 6 inches.
How much does a yard of topsoil weigh?
Roughly 1 to 1.4 tons depending on moisture.
Should I buy screened topsoil?
Yes for lawns and beds; screening removes rocks, roots and clods.
Related guides
- How Much Does a Yard of Topsoil Cover?
- How Many Bags of Topsoil in a Yard? Size Chart
- Fill Dirt vs Topsoil: Differences, Uses and Tons to Order
- How Much Does a Yard of Dirt Weigh? Topsoil, Fill, Clay
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