How much topsoil do I need?

Multiply the area by the depth you want. A 500 ft² bed at 4 inches deep is 500 × (4 ÷ 12) = 167 cubic feet, which is about 6.2 cubic yards. Order the next round number up — settling and uneven subgrade always take a little more than the arithmetic says.

For a new planting bed, 4–6 inches (10–15 cm) of good soil is the usual target. Top-dressing an existing lawn takes far less, around ½–1 inch (1–2 cm) at a time, because burying the crowns of the grass kills it. For turf laid on poor subsoil, 4 inches is a common minimum.

Screened topsoil runs roughly 2,000–2,400 lb per cubic yard dry, and noticeably more after rain — wet soil can add several hundred pounds a yard. This calculator uses about 2,200 lb/yd³. If you are close to a truck or trailer limit, assume the heavier end.

No. Topsoil is screened native soil, fill dirt is subsoil used to build up grade and will not grow much, and bagged garden soil is topsoil already amended with compost. They are priced differently, so make sure the quote you give matches the product you order.