When undertaking landscaping, gardening, or construction projects, the purchase of bulk soil is often required to fill beds, level ground, or establish new lawns. The standard unit of measure used by suppliers is the cubic yard. Understanding this measurement and how to calculate your needs is the first step toward accurately budgeting and acquiring the necessary material.
Understanding the Cubic Yard
A “yard of soil” is a unit of volume known as a cubic yard, not a measure of distance. This measurement represents the amount of material that fits into a cube measuring three feet long, wide, and high. A cubic yard is equivalent to 27 cubic feet of soil, which is the standard volume used for pricing bulk materials. To visualize this volume, a cubic yard is roughly the size of a standard washing machine. One cubic yard of material can cover an area of approximately 100 square feet at a uniform depth of three inches.
Calculating How Much Soil You Need
Accurately determining the volume of soil required prevents costly over-ordering or project delays. The calculation begins by measuring the length and width of the area you intend to fill, along with the desired depth of the soil layer.
The first step is to calculate the total volume in cubic feet by multiplying the length, width, and depth together. All three measurements must be converted into feet before multiplying. For instance, a depth of four inches must be converted to 0.33 feet (4 inches divided by 12). Once you have the cubic footage, divide that total by 27—the number of cubic feet in one cubic yard—to get the final volume needed.
For a practical example, consider a garden bed measuring 10 feet long by 10 feet wide that you intend to fill with four inches of soil. The calculation is 10 feet (length) multiplied by 10 feet (width) multiplied by 0.33 feet (depth), which equals 33 cubic feet. Dividing 33 cubic feet by 27 yields 1.22, meaning you would need to order approximately 1.25 cubic yards of soil.
Variables That Determine Soil Price
The final cost of a cubic yard of soil is influenced by the material’s composition and logistics. The type of soil is the primary variable, differentiating between inexpensive fill dirt, standard topsoil, and specialty mixes. Fill dirt, used for leveling or filling deep holes, is the least expensive because it is unscreened and contains minimal organic matter.
Quality and screening also impact the price. Soil that has been finely screened to remove debris and weed seeds commands a higher cost. Premium options, such as triple mix or garden blends, are the most expensive because they are amended with compost, peat moss, or other organic matter to optimize drainage and plant growth.
A significant cost factor is the expense of delivery, which is rarely included in the base price of the soil. Delivery fees are calculated based on the distance from the supplier to the project site. These logistical costs can substantially increase the final expense, sometimes adding $50 to $100 per load depending on the distance traveled. Suppliers often offer lower per-yard prices when customers purchase larger quantities, providing a discount for bulk orders.
Expected Costs and Where to Buy
The price for a single cubic yard of soil varies based on the region and the specific material chosen. The lowest-cost option, unscreened fill dirt, ranges from $20 to $40 per cubic yard, suitable for simple grade changes. Standard, screened topsoil, appropriate for establishing a new lawn or basic flower beds, falls between $40 and $75 per cubic yard. Specialized growing mediums, such as custom garden blends or compost-heavy mixes, cost $60 to over $100 per cubic yard.
For projects requiring more than a few cubic yards, purchasing soil in bulk from local landscape suppliers is the most economical choice. While bagged soil from home improvement stores is convenient for very small projects, it is significantly more expensive by volume than bulk material. Local suppliers specialize in volume sales and often provide fresher, better quality material than pre-bagged alternatives. Comparing pricing, including the delivery fee, from two or three nearby landscape suppliers ensures you secure the best value.