Topsoil for a 12×12 ft lawn
A 12 × 12 ft lawn at 6 in deep needs 2.67 cubic yards of topsoil — about 72 × 40 lb bags, roughly 3.24 tons and $93.33 of material. Fine-tune below.
Full breakdown
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Volume before waste | 72.0 ft³ |
| Volume with 10% waste | 79.2 ft³ |
| Cubic yards | 2.93 |
| Cubic metres | 2.24 |
| Cubic feet | 79.2 |
| Weight | 3.56 tons (7,128 lb) |
| Full dump-truck loads | 1 × 10 yd³ truck |
| 40 lb bags | 80 bags · $260.00 |
| Sq ft covered at 1 in deep | 950 |
| Sq ft covered at 3 in deep | 317 |
- Formula: length × width × depth, with depth converted from inches to feet (÷ 12), then × (1 + waste%).
- Topsoil: Topsoil is sold screened or unscreened by the cubic yard; for lawns you want screened loam, and for filling low spots unscreened is fine and cheaper.
- Topsoil settles 15–25% after watering and compaction, so a 6-inch loose layer becomes roughly 4½ to 5 inches once it has rained twice. Order on the settled depth you need.
- Prices are national averages for planning, not quotes. Confirm with a local supplier — delivery, short-load fees and tax are extra.
Working out 144 square feet at a 6 in depth gives 72.0 ft³ — 2.67 cubic yards of topsoil, weighing roughly 3.24 tons.
The calculator above is pre-filled with these dimensions — change any field to see the numbers update. Topsoil is sold screened or unscreened by the cubic yard; for lawns you want screened loam, and for filling low spots unscreened is fine and cheaper.
Frequently asked questions
How many cubic yards of topsoil for a 12×12 ft lawn?
About 2.67 cubic yards at 6 in deep, which is 72.0 cubic feet or 3.24 tons. Add 10% waste if the ground is uneven.
How many bags is that?
72 × 40 lb bags, or 72 × 40 lb bags. Bagged is only worth it at this size if you cannot take a truck delivery.
What depth should a lawn be?
6 in is the standard for topsoil in this application. Topsoil settles 15–25% after watering and compaction, so a 6-inch loose layer becomes roughly 4½ to 5 inches once it has rained twice. Order on the settled depth you need.