How Much Topsoil for 1,200 Square Feet?
Spreading topsoil over 1,200 square feet takes 14.81 cubic yards at the common 4-inch depth for new lawns and beds. How much topsoil for 1,200 square feet depends mostly on that depth.
Volume and tonnage calculator →Topsoil by depth over 1,200 sq ft
| Depth | Cubic yards | Approx. tons | 1 cu ft bags |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 in | 3.70 | 4.4 | 100 |
| 2 in | 7.41 | 8.9 | 200 |
| 3 in | 11.11 | 13.3 | 300 |
| 4 in | 14.81 | 17.8 | 400 |
| 6 in | 22.22 | 26.7 | 600 |
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 200 Square Feet?
Which 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
At 14.81 yards, bulk delivery is far cheaper and easier than bags. 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 100 Square Feet?
Timing the job
Spring and early fall are the easiest times to spread soil and mulch: the ground is workable and plants are ready to root. Avoid spreading right before heavy rain, which can wash fresh material off slopes and into drains.
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.
Common mistakes
Many people underestimate settling, so beds end up low by the second season. Others pile soil or mulch against tree trunks and siding, which invites rot and insects. Wet, sticky soil should wait for a drier day before spreading.
Questions people ask
How many yards of topsoil for 1,200 sq ft?
About 14.81 cubic yards at 4 inches deep.
How much topsoil for 1,200 sq ft at 2 inches?
About 7.41 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 800 Square Feet?
- How Much Topsoil for 1,000 Square Feet?
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