The short answer for the most common job: topdressing 1,000 square feet of lawn takes about 1 cubic yard of topsoil. Renovating that same lawn at 2 inches takes 6.2 yards, and building it from bare ground at 4 inches takes 12.3 yards.
The number you need depends far more on the job than on the arithmetic. Spreading a thin layer over an existing lawn and rebuilding one from scratch differ by more than tenfold on the same patch of grass. Below is what to order for your area and your job, what it costs, and how to check the math yourself.
How much topsoil by lawn size
Find your area down the left, your depth across the top. Each cell shows the exact volume, the amount to order once rounded, and the material cost at our current 3-Way Topsoil Mix price of $32.99 a yard.
| Area | 1 inch topdress | 2 inches renovate | 3 inches heavy repair | 4 inches new lawn |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 500 sq ft | 1.5 yd order 2, $66 | 3.1 yd order 3.5, $115 | 4.6 yd order 5, $165 | 6.2 yd order 6.5, $214 |
| 1,000 sq ft | 3.1 yd order 3.5, $115 | 6.2 yd order 6.5, $214 | 9.3 yd order 9.5, $313 | 12.3 yd order 13, $429 |
| 1,500 sq ft | 4.6 yd order 5, $165 | 9.3 yd order 9.5, $313 | 13.9 yd order 14, $462 | 18.5 yd order 19, $627 |
| 2,000 sq ft | 6.2 yd order 6.5, $214 | 12.3 yd order 13, $429 | 18.5 yd order 19, $627 | 24.7 yd order 25, $825 |
| 5,000 sq ft | 15.4 yd order 16, $528 | 30.9 yd order 31, $1,023 | 46.3 yd order 47, $1,551 | 61.7 yd order 62, $2,045 |
| 1/4 acre (10,890 sq ft) | 33.6 yd order 34, $1,122 | 67.2 yd order 68, $2,243 | 100.8 yd order 101, $3,332 | 134.4 yd order 135, $4,454 |
Costs above are for the material only. Delivery is quoted by address and there is no minimum order, so a half yard is a real order here. Call 253-857-5125 with your address and we will give you the delivered total before you commit.
For an acre at 1 inch you are looking at roughly 134 yards, which is a trucking conversation rather than a calculator one. Call us and we will work out loads and staging.
How much topsoil for your job
Depth is where most orders go wrong. The same lawn wants a completely different amount depending on what you are actually doing to it.
| Job | Depth | What to watch |
|---|---|---|
| Topdressing an established lawn | 1/4 to 1/2 inch | 1,000 sq ft needs about 0.8 to 1.6 yards. Going thicker smothers the grass you are trying to help. |
| Overseeding in September | 1/4 to 1/2 inch | Same as topdressing. The seed needs contact with soil, not burial. 1,000 sq ft is roughly 1 yard. |
| Leveling low spots and ruts | fill the low spot, then 1/2 inch over the top | Measure only the sunken area, not the whole lawn. Most people over-order here by a wide margin. |
| Renovating a tired lawn | 2 to 3 inches | 1,000 sq ft needs 6.2 to 9.3 yards. This is a re-grade, not a top-up. |
| Building a new lawn from bare ground | 4 inches | 1,000 sq ft needs 12.3 yards. Add about 15 percent for settling and hidden low spots. |
| Filling raised beds | full bed depth | A 4 by 8 bed at 12 inches deep takes 1.5 yards. See the bed table below. |
The most common mistake we see is ordering renovation depth for a topdressing job. Someone reads that lawns want 2 to 3 inches of topsoil, orders 6 yards for a lawn that needed 1, and ends up with a pile in the driveway and grass suffocating under it. If the lawn is already there, you are topdressing, and a quarter to a half inch is the whole job. Our lawn topdressing guide covers the spreading technique.
What topsoil costs delivered in Kitsap
Bulk topsoil is priced by the cubic yard. Current Harbor Soils pricing:
- 3-Way Topsoil Mix, $32.99 a yard. Screened topsoil, compost and sand already blended. This is the one most lawn and garden projects want, and it is ready to seed straight off the truck.
- Fill Dirt, $12.99 a yard. For raising grade under topsoil, not for growing in.
- Fine Compost, $33.99 a yard. For topdressing when you want to feed the lawn rather than level it.
- Lawn & Flower Mix, $42.99 a yard. A richer blend for beds and borders.
Bulk beats bags on anything above roughly a yard and a half. A 2 yard project runs about $66 in bulk material against $200 or more in bagged topsoil from a big box store, before you have loaded a single bag into your car.
We deliver across Gig Harbor, Port Orchard, Silverdale, Bremerton, Poulsbo, Purdy, Artondale and Olalla with no minimum order. See our full topsoil pricing guide for how bulk pricing compares across the region.
The formula, if you want to check the math
Length (ft) × Width (ft) × Depth (inches) ÷ 324 = cubic yards
Where 324 comes from: 1 cubic yard is 27 cubic feet, and 27 × 12 inches per foot = 324.
- Lawn: 20 ft × 30 ft at 2 inches = 20 × 30 × 2 ÷ 324 = 3.7 yards, order 4.
- Raised bed: 4 ft × 8 ft at 12 inches = 4 × 8 × 12 ÷ 324 = 1.2 yards, order 1.5.
- Several areas: work each one out separately and add them, then round up once at the end.
Working in a circle instead? Multiply the radius by itself, then by 3.14, to get the square footage, then use the same formula. Our cubic yard calculator handles gravel, bark and compost with the same math.
How deep should your topsoil be?
| Project | Depth | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Lawn topdressing | 1/4 to 1/2" | Enough to fill hollows without smothering grass |
| Lawn seeding | 2-3" | Enough for grass roots to establish |
| Lawn renovation | 3-4" | Covers uneven ground |
| Flower beds | 4-6" | Deep for shrubs and perennials |
| Vegetable gardens | 8-12" | Deep for root vegetables |
| Raised beds | 10-12" | Full depth needed |
| Trees & shrubs | 12"+ | Deepest rooting needs |
Raised bed quick reference
| Bed Size | 8" Deep | 10" Deep | 12" Deep |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2×4 | 0.24 yd | 0.3 yd | 0.36 yd |
| 4×4 | 0.48 yd | 0.6 yd | 0.73 yd |
| 4×8 | 0.97 yd | 1.2 yd | 1.46 yd |
| 4×12 | 1.45 yd | 1.8 yd | 2.2 yd |
Round up to the next half yard. For beds you are planting straight away, Garden Mix saves you amending separately.
When to apply topsoil in Western Washington
Timing matters more here than in most of the country, because our wet season does a lot of the work for you and our clay does a lot of the fighting against you.
- Fall (September to early October): The best window for lawn work in Kitsap. Soil is still warm enough to germinate seed, the returning rain keeps it moist without irrigation, and weed pressure has dropped off. This is when topdressing and overseeding belong.
- Spring (March to May): A solid second choice for lawns, and the right time for new garden beds. You will be watering more than you would in fall.
- Summer: Fine for garden beds and grading. Avoid seeding a lawn now; without steady irrigation it will not establish, and an unwatered lawn is usually dormant anyway.
- Winter: Possible for grading and filling, but do not work saturated soil. You will compact it and undo the point of adding topsoil.
One local caveat worth repeating: Kitsap and Pierce County soils are clay-heavy. Break up or till the clay base before adding topsoil rather than laying it straight on top, or you create a bowl that pools water at the seam. Mixing topsoil into the top 4 to 6 inches of native soil is what gives roots something to grow through. Adding compost at the same time improves drainage and fertility together.
Before you order
- Always round up. Soil settles, and you would rather have extra than run short.
- Account for settling. New topsoil typically settles 10 to 15 percent in the first season.
- Measure the low spots, not the lawn. If you are levelling, you only pay for the sunken area.
- Mix if you can. Topsoil and compost at 50/50 or 60/40 beats pure topsoil for most planting.
- Have somewhere to put it. A yard of topsoil is roughly a cube 3 ft on a side and weighs around a ton. Pick the drop spot before the truck arrives.
Get a delivered price
If you are in Gig Harbor, Port Orchard, Silverdale, Bremerton, Poulsbo, Purdy, Artondale or Olalla, you can order bulk topsoil delivery with no minimums.
Work out your number from the table above, then call 253-857-5125 with your address. We will confirm the amount, quote the delivery, and tell you if a smaller or larger load makes more sense for your access.
Frequently asked questions
How much topsoil do I need for 1,000 square feet?
At 1 inch, 3.1 cubic yards. At 2 inches, 6.2. At 4 inches for a new lawn, 12.3. If you are topdressing an existing lawn at a quarter to a half inch, closer to 1 yard. Round up 5 to 10 percent for uneven ground.
How much topsoil do I need for 2,000 square feet?
6.2 cubic yards at 1 inch, 12.3 at 2 inches, 24.7 at 4 inches. Order the next half yard up under 10 yards, and the next whole yard above that.
How much topsoil do I need to level my lawn?
Measure the sunken areas only, not the whole lawn. Fill the hollow to grade, then finish with a quarter to a half inch across the surrounding surface to blend it. Most levelling jobs on a typical Kitsap lawn come in under 2 yards, well below what people expect.
How much topsoil do I need for overseeding?
A quarter to a half inch, which is about 0.8 to 1.6 yards per 1,000 square feet. The seed needs soil contact, not burial. September to early October is the right window in western Washington.
How much topsoil do I need for 1 acre?
Roughly 134 cubic yards at 1 inch, and about 269 at 2 inches. At that scale call 253-857-5125 so we can plan loads and staging rather than quoting a single delivery.
Can I just buy bagged topsoil instead of having it delivered?
For projects under 1 cubic yard (about 13 bags of 2 cu ft topsoil), bagged is fine. Above roughly 1.5 yards, bulk is dramatically cheaper. A 2 yard project costs $200 or more in bags but about $66 in bulk 3-Way Topsoil Mix, plus delivery.
Do I need to till topsoil into the existing soil?
For lawn topdressing at a half inch or less, no. For new garden beds, yes. Tilling topsoil into the top 4 to 6 inches of native soil creates a transition layer roots can grow through. Dropping a thick topsoil layer onto compacted clay without integration creates a perched water table; roots stay shallow and plants struggle.
What is the difference between topsoil and garden soil for my project?
Plain topsoil is screened mineral soil. Garden Mix (Mushroom Compost Blend) is topsoil pre-blended with compost. For filling and grading, plain topsoil is the right call. For new vegetable beds, the Garden Mix saves you the step of amending separately.
How much extra should I order for a brand-new lawn?
Add 15 percent. New lawn projects almost always reveal hidden low spots once you start spreading, and grade settles unevenly during the first watering.
How long can topsoil sit in a pile before I have to use it?
Indefinitely if covered with a tarp. Even uncovered, quality holds up for months. If you cannot spread for a week or more, tarp it.
Why do vegetable gardens need 8 to 12 inches of topsoil?
Most vegetables develop feeder roots in the top 6 inches and deeper roots down to 12. Root crops need that full depth to form properly. If your native soil is heavy clay or compacted till, typical in Kitsap, the topsoil layer becomes your entire root zone.