How much topsoil do I need for a new lawn?

At 4 inches deep you need about 12.3 cubic yards per 1,000 square feet; at 6 inches about 18.5 cubic yards. Add around 10 percent for settling and uneven ground.

How deep should topsoil be for grass?

Four to six inches of good topsoil is a common recommendation for a new lawn. Grass roots can grow deeper where the soil allows, so loosening the ground underneath also helps.

Can I spread topsoil over existing grass?

Only thinly. About a quarter inch at a time lets the grass grow through. Thicker layers smother it. See the top dressing calculator for that job.

What kind of topsoil is best for a lawn?

Screened topsoil with a loamy texture, free of stones, roots and clods. Ask the supplier about weed seeds and whether they have a soil test.

Topsoil for Lawn: How Much You Need and What Kind

A new lawn on bare or scraped ground usually gets 4 to 6 inches of topsoil. Enter your lawn area below to see how many cubic yards that is, and read on for what kind of topsoil to ask for.

Linocut print of a gardener raking a smooth layer of topsoil across a bare yard, a wheelbarrow behind

How much topsoil a lawn needs

cubic yards = lawn area (sq ft) × depth (in) ÷ 12 ÷ 27

Worked example (the default): a 40 × 25 ft lawn, 4 inches of topsoil.

Area: 40 × 25 = 1,000 square feet
Volume: 1,000 × 4 ÷ 12 = 333.3 cubic feet = 12.35 cubic yards
With 10% extra: 366.7 cubic feet = 13.58 cubic yards, so order about 14
Weight: at 1 to 1.4 tons per yard, roughly 13.6 to 19 tons, about 16.3 tons at the middle value

That much soil is a bulk delivery, often more than one truckload. Ask your supplier how much they can bring per load and whether they charge per trip.

Cubic yards of topsoil by lawn size

No extra included. Read across for your depth.

Lawn area	2 in	3 in	4 in	6 in
250 sq ft	1.5	2.3	3.1	4.6
500 sq ft	3.1	4.6	6.2	9.3
1,000 sq ft	6.2	9.3	12.3	18.5
2,000 sq ft	12.3	18.5	24.7	37.0
5,000 sq ft	30.9	46.3	61.7	92.6
10,000 sq ft	61.7	92.6	123.5	185.2

Don’t know the area? Pace it out or measure in sections. A quarter-acre lot is about 10,900 square feet, but the house, driveway and beds take a big share of it.

How deep should lawn topsoil be?

Situation	Topsoil depth	Why
New lawn on scraped or construction ground	4–6 in	Gives roots room and holds water between waterings.
New lawn where some topsoil remains	2–4 in	Mix the first inch into the loosened ground below.
Filling ruts and low areas before seeding	as needed, in layers	Firm each layer so it doesn’t sink later.
Over existing grass	⅛–½ in at a time	Thicker layers smother the grass. See top dressing.

What kind of topsoil for a lawn

Screened. Screened topsoil has been sieved to remove stones, roots and clods. It spreads and levels far more easily, which matters for a smooth lawn.
Loamy texture. A loam or sandy loam drains well and still holds moisture. Very heavy clay or very sandy soil is harder to grow good turf in. The types of topsoil guide explains how to judge a load.
Clean. Ask about weed seeds, and look at a sample if you can. A pile with lots of sprouting weeds will bring them into the new lawn.
Similar to what’s below. Very different soil layers can slow water moving down. Mixing the first inch of new topsoil into the loosened ground underneath helps.
Tested. Some suppliers can share a soil test. Otherwise a home or lab test after spreading tells you what to add before planting.

Spreading topsoil for a new lawn

Clear and loosen. Remove debris, rubble and large stones. Loosen compacted ground with a tiller or fork.
Rough grade. Shape the base so water drains away from the house.
Spread in layers. Tip the soil in several small heaps rather than one big pile, then rake it out 2 to 3 inches at a time, mixing the first layer into the ground below.
Firm and settle. Roll lightly or water well, then fill any dips that appear.
Fine grade. Rake smooth just before you plant, so the surface is loose and level.

Ordering tips

Price by the yard or the ton? Topsoil weighs about 1 to 1.4 tons per cubic yard. See how much a yard of topsoil weighs to convert, and the topsoil cost guide to compare quotes.
Drop spot. Choose where the truck tips the load: close to the lawn, on firm ground, and away from septic systems and underground lines.
Timing. Very wet soil is heavy, sticky and hard to spread. If you can, take delivery when the stockpile is reasonably dry.

Before you dig or regrade, call 811 in the US to have underground utility lines marked. The figures here are estimates; confirm quantities with your supplier.

Questions gardeners ask

How much topsoil do I need for a new lawn?: At 4 inches deep you need about 12.3 cubic yards per 1,000 square feet; at 6 inches about 18.5 cubic yards. Add around 10 percent for settling and uneven ground.
How deep should topsoil be for grass?: Four to six inches of good topsoil is a common recommendation for a new lawn. Grass roots can grow deeper where the soil allows, so loosening the ground underneath also helps.
Can I spread topsoil over existing grass?: Only thinly. About a quarter inch at a time lets the grass grow through. Thicker layers smother it. See the top dressing calculator for that job.
What kind of topsoil is best for a lawn?: Screened topsoil with a loamy texture, free of stones, roots and clods. Ask the supplier about weed seeds and whether they have a soil test.

Topsoil for a lawn