Coverage by depth
Area (sq ft) = cubic feet ÷ (depth in inches ÷ 12). One cubic yard is 27 cubic feet.
| Depth | 1 ton covers (sq ft) | 1 cu yd covers (sq ft) | 1 ton covers (m²) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 in | 300 | 324 | 27.9 |
| 2 in | 150 | 162 | 13.9 |
| 3 in | 100 | 108 | 9.3 |
| 4 in | 75 | 81 | 7.0 |
| 6 in | 50 | 54 | 4.6 |
| 8 in | 38 | 40 | 3.5 |
| 12 in | 25 | 27 | 2.3 |
Ton figures use 1.08 tons per cubic yard of topsoil.
Plan for settling
HomeGuide notes that one cubic yard of dirt covers 55 sq ft at 6 inches deep. Loose material settles once it is walked on or compacted, so order a little more than the bare volume. Rochester Concrete Products' install guide adds 10% for compaction and uneven ground.
Common questions
How much does a ton of topsoil cover at 2 inches?
About 150 sq ft.
How much does a yard of topsoil cover at 3 inches?
About 108 sq ft. One cubic yard covers 108 sq ft at 3 inches whatever the material.
How deep should topsoil be?
HomeGuide notes that one cubic yard of dirt covers 55 sq ft at 6 inches deep.
Sources
- https://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/dirt-mud-densities-d_1727.html
- https://homeguide.com/costs/fill-dirt-sand-topsoil-cost
- https://rochestercp.com/resources/installation-manuals/installation-manual-vintage-6.pdf