Soil weight & volume

How Much Does a Yard of Topsoil Weigh?

Check the actual load weight before arranging topsoil pickup or delivery.

Quick reference: a density must come with the number

NRCS describes approximately 1.0–1.6 g/cm³ in an agricultural-soil context. The table uses the same conversion as our cubic yard soil weight guide. These rows do not describe dry, moist, or wet retail products. NRCS reference.

Density-based examples, not guaranteed topsoil weights
Assumed bulk density	Calculated lb per cu yd
1 g/cm³	1,686 lb
1.33 g/cm³	2,242 lb
1.6 g/cm³	2,697 lb

Soil-science bulk density commonly uses oven-dry soil mass. A dry-density conversion does not include the water in a delivered load. SDSU explains the measurement method.

What are you actually buying as topsoil?

In soil science, topsoil is the surface A horizon. A sale listing is not a soil test: Utah State Extension notes that some materials sold as topsoil are subsoil. It recommends assessing chemical and physical properties before purchase. Read the topsoil quality guidance.

Ask whether the stockpile is native soil, screened soil, or a blend with added material. Screening can remove coarse fragments, but the word “screened” is not a pounds-per-yard value. For a compost-containing blend, see how garden-soil composition affects weight.

Why the same order volume can weigh differently

Moisture: Water contributes to the load. Confirm whether a quoted weight describes current stockpile conditions or a dry laboratory sample.
Composition: Texture and organic material affect bulk density. A value measured for one source of topsoil is not a specification for a different source.
Compaction: Packing changes the amount of solid material in a measured volume. A field sample and loose material in a truck may have different packing conditions.

SDSU's bulk-density guidance explains the roles of texture, organic carbon, and compaction.

Before a pickup or delivery, ask these questions

What exact material is in this stockpile, and is a soil test available?
Is the quote per cubic yard or per ton? If per ton, which ton unit is being used?
What is the expected weight of my order in its current condition? Can you provide a measured load weight?
How is the order volume measured, and what are the delivery minimum and fee?

A generic density table cannot establish a safe vehicle load. Check the supplier's actual weight against your vehicle and trailer documentation. For a delivered order, ask the supplier to confirm access and unloading requirements as well as quantity.

Soil quality is a separate purchasing question. Utah State Extension cautions that visual appearance alone can miss problems such as salinity or unsuitable pH; weight cannot certify quality.

Work out volume before converting to weight

One cubic yard equals 27 cubic feet. Multiply your volume in cubic yards by a supplier-provided lb-per-cubic-yard value for the same material condition. If the density is in lb per cubic foot, use cubic feet instead; the cubic foot soil weight guide explains that unit.

Weight (lb) = volume (cu yd) × supplier density (lb/cu yd)

Calculate how much soil your raised bed needs →

Common topsoil questions

Is a yard of topsoil the same as a ton?

No. A yard in this context is a volume. A ton is a weight unit. You need the material's bulk density and the supplier's ton definition to compare the two.

Does screened topsoil have one standard weight?

No. Screening alone does not specify moisture, mineral content, organic matter, or packing. Request the weight of the actual product.

Can I use a compost weight for topsoil?

No. Compost weight per cubic yard has its own source-specific context. It is not a substitute for a topsoil measurement.

Sources and method

Definitions and material guidance are paraphrased from the sources below. The reference table reuses the site's tested density conversion, keeping precision before rounding. Review the methodology for assumptions.

Sources reviewed September 27, 2026.