Measure the area, set the depth and get cubic yards of topsoil or compost, or the number of bags.
Cubic yards and 1 cubic foot bags for every 1,000 sq ft of area, using square feet × depth in inches ÷ 324.
| Depth | Cubic yards | 1 cu ft bags |
|---|---|---|
| ¼ in | 0.77 | 21 |
| ½ in | 1.54 | 42 |
| 1 in | 3.09 | 84 |
| 2 in | 6.17 | 167 |
| 4 in | 12.35 | 334 |
| 6 in | 18.52 | 500 |
Divide 324 by the depth in inches: about 324 sq ft at 1 inch, 162 at 2 inches, 81 at 4 inches and 54 at 6 inches. It’s the same cubic-yard formula Texas A&M AgriLife Extension gives for compost, soil and mulch.
Texas A&M’s table lists about 36 bags of 0.75 cubic feet, 27 bags of 1 cubic foot, 22 bags of 1.25 cubic feet or 14 bags of 2 cubic feet per cubic yard.
Light. Clemson Cooperative Extension says no more than ½ inch of material at a time, so enter 0.25 or 0.5 as the depth when you topdress.
Clemson calls compost the best choice for the average home lawn. Topsoil is the alternative where the native soil isn’t sandy, and sand should only go on lawns whose native soil is already sandy.
Purdue Extension’s sod guide says about 19 cubic yards make a 6-inch layer over 1,000 sq ft, which matches this calculator’s 18.5 yards before rounding up. If your topsoil lacks organic matter, Purdue suggests mixing in compost, peat or decomposed manure at 1 to 3 cubic yards per 1,000 sq ft, worked 6 to 8 inches deep.
Purdue recommends testing your soil at least a month before you plant, and says topsoil brought in from off-site must be tested too, so you can add any nutrients it needs before the lawn goes in.
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Results are estimates. Suppliers’ bag sizes, pallet sizes and stone weights vary, so check theirs before you order.
Mix 10 or more small soil cores from your lawn, send about 2 cups to your state's extension lab, and add lime only if the report says your pH is too low, in spring or fall, at no more than 50 lb per 1,000 sq ft at a time.
October 12, 2026
Topdressing means spreading a thin layer of compost, topsoil or sand, no more than 1/2 inch at a time, over a growing lawn to improve the soil or fill shallow low spots. Match the material to your soil and keep the grass blades showing.
October 10, 2026
Start by sloping soil away from the house (at least 6 inches of drop in the first 10 feet) and extending downspouts. If water still pools, add a swale, rain garden, dry well or French drain. Exterior French drains run about $10 to $75 per linear foot.
August 27, 2026
