How Much Topsoil for 1000 Square Feet?
For 1000 square feet at 6 inches deep — standard for a new lawn or garden bed — you need 20.37 cubic yards of topsoil. That's 734 bags (40 lb) or 550 bags (1 cu ft), with 10% waste included.
Reviewed by licensed contractors
Our editorial team researches and fact-checks material calculations with input from licensed contractors, landscape designers, and certified tradespeople across the US.
Topsoil Calculator — enter any area and depth for exact bags or cubic yards
Enter your exact dimensions for a personalized estimate →
Answer at a glance — 1000 sq ft
| Depth | Cu yards | 40 lb bags | 1 cu ft bags | Tons |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2" | 6.79 cu yd | 245 | 184 | 7.5 |
| 4" | 13.58 cu yd | 489 | 367 | 14.9 |
| 6" | 20.37 cu yd | 734 | 550 | 22.4 |
| 8" | 27.16 cu yd | 978 | 734 | 29.9 |
| 12" | 40.74 cu yd | 1467 | 1100 | 44.8 |
All counts include 10% waste, rounded up.
How we calculated it
- Volume = 1000 × 6 ÷ 12 = 500 cu ft
- Cubic yards = 500 ÷ 27 = 18.52 cu yd
- With 10% waste = 20.37 cu yd
- 40 lb bags (approx. 0.75 cu ft each) = 734 bags
Compare nearby areas
| Area | At 4" (top-dress) | At 6" (new lawn) | At 8" (garden) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 500 sq ft | 6.79 cu yd / 245 bags | 10.19 cu yd / 367 bags | 13.58 cu yd / 489 bags |
| 1000 sq ft | 13.58 cu yd / 489 bags | 20.37 cu yd / 734 bags | 27.16 cu yd / 978 bags |
| 2000 sq ft | 27.16 cu yd / 978 bags | 40.74 cu yd / 1467 bags | 54.32 cu yd / 1956 bags |
| 4000 sq ft | 54.32 cu yd / 1956 bags | 81.48 cu yd / 2934 bags | 108.64 cu yd / 3912 bags |
Depth guide by use
| Application | Recommended depth |
|---|---|
| Overseeding / top-dressing | 2 inches |
| Patching bare lawn spots | 2–4 inches |
| New lawn from seed | 4–6 inches |
| New lawn from sod | 4–6 inches |
| Vegetable garden | 8–12 inches |
| Raised bed (fill) | 12–18 inches |
Bags vs. bulk topsoil
At 20.37 cubic yards, bulk topsoil is usually cheaper than bags. Get quotes from local landscaping suppliers — bulk topsoil typically runs $20–$50 per cubic yard vs. $5–$8 per 40 lb bag.
Use the Topsoil Calculator to enter your exact dimensions and get an instant bag count or cubic yard total.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much topsoil do I need for 1000 square feet?
For 1000 sq ft at 6 inches deep (standard for new lawn or garden beds), you need 20.37 cubic yards or 734 bags of 40 lb topsoil, with 10% waste included.
How many cubic yards of topsoil for 1000 square feet?
At 4 inches: 13.58 cu yd. At 6 inches: 20.37 cu yd. At 8 inches: 27.16 cu yd. All include 10% waste.
How many bags of topsoil for 1000 square feet?
At 6 inches: 734 bags of 40 lb topsoil (approx. 0.75 cu ft each) or 550 bags of 1 cu ft topsoil. For areas over 2 cubic yards, bulk delivery is usually cheaper.
How deep should I add topsoil for grass or a garden?
For overseeding an existing lawn: 2 inches. For a new lawn: 4–6 inches. For vegetable gardens: 8–12 inches. For raised beds, fill the full depth with a topsoil/compost mix.
Get a free local quote
Know your material quantities? Get a free quote from a local contractor for your project.
✅ Sent! We'll be in touch soon.
No spam · We connect you with 1–3 local pros