How Much Does a Cubic Yard of Topsoil Weigh?
If you are planning a landscaping project, calculating the volume of topsoil you need is only half the battle. If you plan on picking up the dirt yourself in a truck or trailer, you must know its weight to avoid dangerous overloading.
So, exactly how much does a cubic yard of topsoil weigh? The answer depends heavily on moisture content.
The Short Answer
- Dry Topsoil: ~2,000 lbs (1.0 Tons) per cubic yard.
- Moist Topsoil: ~2,300 lbs (1.15 Tons) per cubic yard.
- Wet Topsoil: ~2,600 to 3,000 lbs (1.3 to 1.5 Tons) per cubic yard.
As a general rule of thumb used by landscape supply yards, a cubic yard of standard, slightly moist topsoil is estimated at 2,200 lbs (1.1 Tons).
Why Does Moisture Matter So Much?
Soil acts like a sponge. Topsoil is highly organic and porous, meaning it can hold a massive amount of water. If it has been raining recently at the landscape supply yard, the dirt you purchase will be significantly heavier than dirt purchased during a dry summer drought.
Always check the weather before hauling topsoil with a half-ton pickup truck (like an F-150 or Silverado 1500). Most half-ton trucks can safely haul about 1.5 to 2 cubic yards of dry mulch, but only about 1/2 to 3/4 of a cubic yard of topsoil before exceeding payload capacity.
How Many Bags of Topsoil Make a Cubic Yard?
If you are buying topsoil from a big box store like Home Depot or Lowe’s, it is typically sold in 40 lb bags (which hold about 0.75 cubic feet). Since there are 27 cubic feet in a cubic yard, it takes exactly 36 bags of 40 lb topsoil to equal one cubic yard.
36 bags × 40 lbs = 1,440 lbs (Store-bought bagged soil is usually very dry and lightweight compared to bulk yard soil).
Calculate Your Project Instantly
Instead of doing the math manually, you can use our free Topsoil Calculator to enter your project dimensions (Length × Width × Depth). It will instantly calculate the exact cubic yardage required and automatically convert it into estimated tons so you know exactly what to order.