How Much Topsoil for 1,000 Square Feet?
Spreading topsoil over 1,000 square feet takes 12.35 cubic yards at the common 4-inch depth for new lawns and beds. How much topsoil for 1,000 square feet depends mostly on that depth.
Volume and tonnage calculator →Topsoil by depth over 1,000 sq ft
| Depth | Cubic yards | Approx. tons | 1 cu ft bags |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 in | 3.09 | 3.7 | 84 |
| 2 in | 6.17 | 7.4 | 167 |
| 3 in | 9.26 | 11.1 | 250 |
| 4 in | 12.35 | 14.8 | 334 |
| 6 in | 18.52 | 22.2 | 500 |
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 2,000 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.
Buying it
Order bulk; bags at this volume cost far more and mean a lot of lifting. Ask whether the soil is screened, which removes rocks and roots. See how much a yard of topsoil covers.
Related: How Much Topsoil for 3,000 Square Feet?
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.
Delivery and spreading
Bulk soil and mulch are usually dumped in one pile, so choose a spot on a tarp or driveway close to the work. A wheelbarrow holds about 1/10 to 1/6 of a yard, so a few yards means many trips; a helper and two wheelbarrows speed things up.
Weight and hauling
A cubic yard of soil can weigh a ton or more, and mulch roughly a quarter to half of that depending on moisture. Check your vehicle’s payload before hauling, and keep trailer loads within the rated capacity.
Questions people ask
How many yards of topsoil for 1,000 sq ft?
About 12.35 cubic yards at 4 inches deep.
How much topsoil for 1,000 sq ft at 2 inches?
About 6.17 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
- How Much Topsoil for 750 Square Feet?
- How Much Topsoil for 800 Square Feet?
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