A cubic yard of topsoil typically weighs about 2,000 to 2,700 pounds (1.0 to 1.35 US tons). Dry, loose topsoil sits toward the lower end, and wet or compacted topsoil can reach about 3,000 pounds. For everyday planning, 2,200 pounds (1.1 tons) per cubic yard is a reasonable middle figure.
Quick answer: plan on about 2,200 lb per cubic yard, expect 2,000 to 2,700 lb in most cases, and allow up to about 3,000 lb after heavy rain. That is what the CalcWoven Cubic Yards Calculator uses for topsoil: 1.10 US tons per cubic yard.
Topsoil weight by condition
| Condition | Pounds per cubic yard | Tons per cubic yard | Pounds per cubic foot |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry, loose or screened | about 1,800–2,200 | 0.9–1.1 | about 67–81 |
| Typical, slightly moist | about 2,200–2,700 | 1.1–1.35 | about 81–100 |
| Wet or saturated | about 2,800–3,000 | 1.4–1.5 | about 104–111 |
Suppliers and calculator sites quote slightly different numbers, so treat these as planning ranges rather than exact values. Compost-rich garden mixes and potting soil can weigh a good deal less than ordinary topsoil, so ask your supplier about the specific product.
Why topsoil weight varies so much
- Moisture. Water is heavy: a cubic yard of water weighs about 1,685 lb. Some suppliers estimate that saturated topsoil weighs 30% or more than the same soil dry, which is why a load delivered after rain can feel much heavier.
- Soil texture. According to USDA NRCS, sandy soils have a relatively high bulk density because they have less pore space than silt or clay soils. Clay-rich soils with good structure are lighter per cubic yard.
- Organic matter. Loose, porous soils and soils rich in organic matter have lower bulk density, so a compost-heavy mix weighs less.
- Compaction. Freshly delivered topsoil is fluffy and settles once it is spread and watered. The volume drops as it settles, but the weight stays the same.
Where the numbers come from: soil bulk density
Soil scientists measure this as bulk density: the dry weight of soil divided by its volume, usually in grams per cubic centimeter (g/cm³). The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency notes that undisturbed soils generally range from about 1.0 to 1.4 g/cm³, higher for sands. NRCS lists ideal bulk densities for plant growth of under 1.40 g/cm³ for loams and silt loams, under 1.10 for clays and under 1.60 for sandy soils.
Converting those to US units (1 g/cm³ is about 1,686 lb per cubic yard):
| Dry bulk density | Pounds per cubic yard | Tons per cubic yard |
|---|---|---|
| 1.0 g/cm³ | about 1,690 | 0.84 |
| 1.1 g/cm³ | about 1,850 | 0.93 |
| 1.4 g/cm³ | about 2,360 | 1.18 |
| 1.6 g/cm³ | about 2,700 | 1.35 |
South Dakota State University Extension notes that ideal soil with 50% pore space has a bulk density of about 82.9 lb per cubic foot, which works out to roughly 2,240 lb per cubic yard. That is very close to the 2,200 lb planning figure above. These are dry, in-place values for natural soil. Delivered topsoil is looser, so its dry weight per yard is often lower, and any moisture adds weight on top.
Cubic yards of topsoil in pounds and tons
| Cubic yards | At 2,000 lb/yd³ | At 2,200 lb/yd³ (planning) | At 2,700 lb/yd³ |
|---|---|---|---|
| ½ yard | 1,000 lb | 1,100 lb | 1,350 lb |
| 1 yard | 2,000 lb | 2,200 lb | 2,700 lb |
| 2 yards | 4,000 lb | 4,400 lb | 5,400 lb |
| 5 yards | 10,000 lb (5 tons) | 11,000 lb (5.5 tons) | 13,500 lb (6.75 tons) |
| 10 yards | 20,000 lb (10 tons) | 22,000 lb (11 tons) | 27,000 lb (13.5 tons) |
Going the other way, at 2,200 lb per yard one ton of topsoil is about 0.91 cubic yards (24.5 cubic feet). Across the full range it is anywhere from 0.74 to 1.0 cubic yards. In metric terms, 2,200 lb per cubic yard is about 1,300 kg per cubic meter.
Worked examples
A 4 × 8 ft raised bed, 12 inches deep
4 × 8 × 1 = 32 cubic feet, or 1.19 cubic yards. At 2,200 lb per yard that is about 2,600 lb (1.3 tons). Across the 2,000 to 2,700 lb range it is about 2,400 to 3,200 lb.
500 sq ft of garden at 3 inches deep
500 × 3 ÷ 12 = 125 cubic feet, or 4.63 cubic yards. At 2,200 lb per yard that is about 10,200 lb (5.1 tons), with a range of roughly 9,300 to 12,500 lb. If you add 10% for settling and uneven ground, order about 5.1 cubic yards, which weighs about 11,200 lb (5.6 tons).
To work out how many yards you need in the first place, use the Cubic Yards Calculator (choose Topsoil) or the shortcut in square feet to cubic yards: square feet × depth in inches ÷ 324 = cubic yards. A common depth for topping an existing bed is about 2 to 4 inches, while new beds can need more.
Can you haul a yard of topsoil in a pickup?
Often not in one trip. A cubic yard is easy to fit in many truck beds but weighs around 2,200 lb or more, which can exceed what a light-duty pickup is rated to carry. Check the payload rating on the sticker inside the driver’s door jamb and subtract the weight of passengers and anything else on board. Don’t load by how full the bed looks, and remember that wet soil weighs more.
Half-yard loads (about 1,100 lb at the planning figure) are safer for a small truck. For several yards, delivery is usually easier. Ask the supplier how much their truck can bring and whether there is a minimum order.
Buying by the yard or by the ton
Suppliers may sell topsoil by volume (cubic yards) or by weight (tons). If you are quoted by the ton, ask what weight per cubic yard they use and whether the ticket is based on the actual scale weight. After rain you can end up paying for water weight, and you may get less volume per ton than you planned. Comparing quotes is easiest when you convert everything to a price per cubic yard.
How topsoil compares with other materials
Topsoil is lighter than gravel and far heavier than mulch. Our planning figure for crushed stone is about 1.4 tons per cubic yard; see how much does a yard of gravel weigh. For a very light bulk material, see how much does a yard of mulch weigh. Preparing soil before laying turf? The how to lay sod guide covers grading and soil prep.
Common mistakes
- Treating cubic yards and tons as the same thing.
- Using one weight for every soil, dry or wet.
- Loading a pickup by volume instead of checking the payload rating.
- Ordering by the ton without asking what weight per yard the supplier uses.
- Forgetting that loose topsoil settles after it is spread.
FAQ
How much does a cubic yard of topsoil weigh?
About 2,000 to 2,700 pounds (1.0 to 1.35 tons), with 2,200 pounds a common planning figure. Wet topsoil can reach about 3,000 pounds.
How many tons are in a yard of topsoil?
Roughly 1.0 to 1.35 tons, with 1.1 tons as a planning figure. That means a ton of topsoil is about 0.91 cubic yards.
How much does a cubic foot of topsoil weigh?
Roughly 75 to 100 pounds. At 2,200 lb per cubic yard it is about 81 pounds, since a cubic yard is 27 cubic feet.
Does wet topsoil weigh more than dry topsoil?
Yes. Water adds weight without adding volume. Saturated topsoil can approach 3,000 pounds per cubic yard, compared with about 2,000 to 2,200 pounds when dry and loose.
How much does 5 yards of topsoil weigh?
About 11,000 pounds (5.5 tons) at the 2,200 lb planning figure, or roughly 10,000 to 13,500 pounds across the usual range.
Is topsoil heavier than gravel?
Usually not. Typical topsoil is lighter per cubic yard than crushed stone, although wet topsoil can come close.
Bottom line
Plan on about 2,200 pounds (1.1 tons) per cubic yard of topsoil, allow a range of roughly 2,000 to 2,700 pounds, and expect up to about 3,000 pounds when it is wet. Ask your supplier which weight they use, and check your vehicle’s payload before hauling it yourself. To turn a project’s measurements into cubic yards and an estimated weight, use the Cubic Yards Calculator.
Sources
- USDA NRCS: Soil Quality Indicators, Bulk Density
- SDSU Extension: Bulk Density is an Indicator of Soil Health
- Minnesota Pollution Control Agency: Soil health indicator sheet, soil compaction (bulk density)
Weights are planning estimates for delivered topsoil and vary with soil type, moisture, organic matter and supplier. Bulk density figures describe dry, in-place soil. Confirm weights with your supplier before ordering by the ton or hauling.
Leave a Reply