Topsoil: Size, Uses, and Cost Per Ton (2026)
Also called: Garden Soil, Screened Topsoil, Black Dirt
Topsoil at a Glance
| Size | Fine, crumbly soil texture when screened. |
|---|---|
| Weight per cubic yard | 2,000 to 2,600 lbs (1.00 to 1.30 tons) |
| Cubic yards per ton | 0.77 to 1.00 |
| Cost per ton | $19 to $30 per ton |
| Cost per cubic yard | $34 to $48 per cubic yard |
| 10-ton truckload | $190 to $300 before delivery |
| Compaction | Minimal (5%). Stays loose, needs edging. |
| Drainage | Excellent. Open voids between stones, water passes straight through. |
| Best for | Lawn establishment, Garden beds, Raised beds, Grading for sod |
| Wrong for | Structural fill, Under pavers or gravel, Drainage applications |
Need Topsoil? See yards near you that stock it and ask them for a price.
Find Topsoil near meWhat Is Topsoil?
Nutrient-rich upper layer of soil, ideal for establishing lawns, gardens, and planting beds. Quality topsoil is dark, crumbly, and full of organic matter that supports plant growth. Screened topsoil has been filtered to remove rocks, roots, and debris.
How Much Topsoil Do I Need?
Draw your project area on the map to get an instant material estimate for Topsoil.
Plan your topsoil project
Type your address, trace the area on a satellite photo, and see how many tons to order.
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Enter an address in step 1. Then click around the edge of the spot you want to cover and the planner does the math.
What Yards Charge for Topsoil, October 2026
- Median per ton
- $26
- Middle half $17 to $32. 30 prices from 15 yards.
- Median per cubic yard
- $42
- Middle half $35 to $53. 35 prices from 22 yards.
Cheapest in Massachusetts, median $35 per cubic yard. Most expensive in Colorado, median $66.
| State | Median per cubic yard | Middle half | Prices |
|---|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $35 | $31 to $38 | 3 |
| Ohio | $38 | $36 to $40 | 3 |
| Missouri | $44 | $37 to $76 | 4 |
| Michigan | $45 | $44 to $51 | 3 |
| Oregon | $47 | $41 to $124 | 6 |
| Colorado | $66 | $59 to $67 | 3 |
From prices yards publish on their own websites, for the topsoil alone, before delivery and tax. A state is listed once it has three or more prices. Updated monthly; the next update is due November 3. Gravel prices by state.
What Topsoil Costs in 2026
Topsoil costs $19 to $30 per ton, or $34 to $48 per cubic yard. A 10-ton single-axle truckload runs $190 to $300 before delivery. An 18-ton tandem load runs $342 to $540. Delivery adds $50 to $150 within 10 to 15 miles of the supplier.
| Quantity | Material cost |
|---|---|
| 1 ton | $19 to $30 |
| 1 cubic yard | $34 to $48 |
| 10-ton single-axle load | $190 to $300 |
| 18-ton tandem load | $342 to $540 |
| 100 sq ft at 3 inches deep | $21 to $42 |
Topsoil is sold by the cubic yard at most landscape supply yards. 2-10% organic content is ideal — too much organic matter means excessive settling.
Prices vary by region and order size. See the gravel cost per ton guide and the delivery cost guide.
How Much Topsoil for Common Projects
Tons include 5% compaction and a 10% waste allowance. Formula: cubic yards = square feet x depth in inches / 324.
| Project | Depth | Cubic yards | Tons to order | Material cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 x 20 ft patio (200 sq ft) | 2 in | 1.2 | 1.4 to 1.9 | $27 to $57 |
| 12 x 40 ft driveway (480 sq ft) | 4 in | 5.9 | 6.8 to 8.9 | $129 to $267 |
| 3 x 50 ft walkway (150 sq ft) | 3 in | 1.4 | 1.6 to 2.1 | $30 to $63 |
Different size? Use the gravel calculator or convert with the tons to yards calculator.
Compare Topsoil With Other Materials
Side-by-side size, cost, drainage, and best-use comparisons.
- Pea Gravel vs Topsoil
- Crushed Stone vs Topsoil
- Crushed Limestone vs Topsoil
- River Rock vs Topsoil
- Decomposed Granite vs Topsoil
- #57 Gravel vs Topsoil
- #8 Gravel vs Topsoil
- Crusher Run vs Topsoil
- #89 Stone vs Topsoil
- Fill Dirt vs Topsoil
- Brown Shredded Mulch vs Topsoil
- Black Shredded Mulch vs Topsoil
- Rip Rap vs Topsoil
- Compost vs Topsoil
- Topsoil vs Washed Gravel
- Bank Run Gravel vs Topsoil
- Marble Chips vs Topsoil
- Lava Rock vs Topsoil
- Stone Dust vs Topsoil
- #411 Gravel vs Topsoil
- Construction Gravel vs Topsoil
- Recycled Asphalt vs Topsoil
- Bluestone vs Topsoil
- Jersey Shore Gravel vs Topsoil
- Mexican Beach Pebble vs Topsoil
- #4 Stone vs Topsoil
Topsoil by City
Suppliers stock Topsoil in these cities:
Find Topsoil Near You
Share your location and the closest yards that stock topsoil come first, with miles and a phone number.
Every yard that stocks topsoil
Yards with published prices first.
198 Washington St, Stoughton, Massachusetts
Indianapolis, Indiana
14880 Brighton Rd, Brighton, Colorado
2594 Port Sheldon St, Jenison, Michigan
30265 SE Highway 212, Boring, Oregon
150 Shadowline Dr, Morganton, North Carolina
330 E 14th St, Elmira, New York
921 Jefferson Ave, Midland, Michigan
15800 S MacArthur Blvd, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Norcross, Georgia