Charts
Soil Coverage Chart
Quick Answer
For 100 square feet, soil volume is about 8.33 cubic feet at 1 inch deep, 16.67 cubic feet at 2 inches, or 33.33 cubic feet at 4 inches.
Practical Guide
Soil coverage is useful for lawn leveling, planting bed preparation, and compost topdressing. Thin applications can disappear quickly across a large area.
Soil products vary by texture and moisture. Bulk yards may compact or settle after installation.
How to Use the Chart
Use shallow depths for lawn topdressing and deeper depths for new planting areas. For raised beds, use the raised bed soil calculator because bed height matters.
Formula
Area square feet x depth inches / 12 = cubic feet. Cubic feet / 27 = cubic yards.
| Area | 1 inch | 2 inches | 4 inches |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100 sq ft | 8.33 cu ft | 16.67 cu ft | 33.33 cu ft |
| 250 sq ft | 20.83 cu ft | 41.67 cu ft | 83.33 cu ft |
| 500 sq ft | 41.67 cu ft | 83.33 cu ft | 166.67 cu ft |
| 1,000 sq ft | 83.33 cu ft | 166.67 cu ft | 333.33 cu ft |
FAQ
How much soil covers 100 square feet?+
At 1 inch deep, 100 square feet needs about 8.33 cubic feet of soil.
How deep should topsoil be for lawn repair?+
Use thin layers, often 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch for topdressing existing grass, so the lawn is not buried.
Is soil sold by cubic foot or cubic yard?+
Bagged soil is commonly sold by cubic foot. Bulk soil is commonly sold by cubic yard.
Does soil settle after installation?+
Yes. Soil can settle after watering and over time, especially in deeper fills.