Topsoil calculator for North Dakota
Calculate lawn, bed, and finish-grade quantities, starting with the depth that shapes the order.
Enter your project dimensions
Start by selecting depth, since it can change the quantity more than the size of the area. A 1,000-square-foot lawn takes 12 cubic yards at 4 inches, while a half-inch topdressing uses only 1.5 yards. Identify the purpose of the soil before calculating. Enter the area and depth in this topsoil calculator to see cubic yards, the usual sales unit, and tons based on about 2,200 lb per dry yard. Screening removes rocks, roots, and clods, reducing cleanup during spreading.
Choose depth, then calculate
- For lawn topdressing, spread 1/4 to 1/2 inch and rake lightly, leaving the grass tips exposed.
- For overseeding preparation: use 1/2 to 1 inch.
- Seeded or sodded new lawn: place 4 to 6 inches over a loosened subgrade.
- Flower beds: use 6 inches and blend it into the existing soil underneath.
- For raised vegetable beds, use 12 inches. A garden-soil blend is more suitable for beds, so use the Soil Calculator.
- Measure your space in feet, then choose a depth from the options above.
- Calculate cubic yards by dividing cubic feet ÷ 27; calculate tons with yards × 1.1. The calculator handles both, plus 5% when the allowance is selected.
Tons = cubic yards × 1.1
Coverage by depth
| Depth | 1 cubic yard covers | 5 yards cover |
|---|---|---|
| 1/2 inch topdress | 648 sq ft | 3,240 sq ft |
| 2 inches | 162 sq ft | 810 sq ft |
| 4 inches | 81 sq ft | 405 sq ft |
| 6 inches | 54 sq ft | 270 sq ft |
| Project | Typical size | Depth | Volume | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New lawn, seed or sod | 1,000 sq ft | 4" | 12.3 yd³ | 13.6 tons |
| Lawn topdressing | 2,000 sq ft | 0.5" | 3.1 yd³ | 3.4 tons |
| New flower bed | 15 x 4 ft | 6" | 1.1 yd³ | 1.2 tons |
| Patch repairs around the yard | ≈ 150 sq ft | 2" | 0.9 yd³ | 1 tons |
| Finish grade over fill | 600 sq ft | 4" | 7.4 yd³ | 8.1 tons |
Example calculation: 1,000 square feet of new lawn
For a 4-inch layer: 1,000 x 0.333 = 333 cubic feet = 12.3 cubic yards, or about 13.5 tons on the truck. Order 12.5 to 13 yards to allow for edges and low corners. When the subgrade needs added height, place fill dirt first, then reserve the topsoil budget for the upper 4 inches used by roots.
Screened topsoil: what it is and what to look for
Topsoil is the natural surface layer and contains organic matter. During screening, mesh separates out stones, roots, and clods. Examine a load before spreading: soil should break apart readily when handled. A moist handful should form a loose ball, then crumble with a touch. A smooth ribbon can indicate heavy clay, while material that will not form a ball may be sandy. Gray color, a sour odor, or visible rhizomes can signal wet storage or weed growth. Photograph material that appears unusual before it is spread.
A practical spreading sequence
- Start by loosening the subgrade an inch. In the Red River Valley, four inches of topsoil placed over sealed clay can hold water like a tub with its drain closed.
- Slope the ground away from the house with a 6-inch drop across the first 10 feet.
- Settle the soil gently rather than stomping it. In properly settled topsoil, a footprint should press down about half an inch.
- Arrange delivery for the week you plan to spread the material. A pile that gets rained on weighs a third more per shovel and tends to smear instead of rake cleanly.
Planning a topsoil order
How much topsoil is required for a new lawn?
What does one yard of topsoil weigh?
What is the price of a yard of topsoil?
What area will a yard of topsoil cover?
What does topsoil mean?
Is it okay to add topsoil over grass?
For beds, should I use topsoil or garden soil?
Should I till before placing topsoil?
Other calculators
Finished calculating lawn soil? Arrange delivery next.
Order screened topsoil by the cubic yard with free delivery in North Dakota.
