Loose material compacts down — over-order a little so you don't run short.
Screened topsoil is graded, de-stoned soil for new lawns, raised beds and levelling. It's sold by the tonne, bulk bag or cubic metre. Enter the area and the depth of soil you want to lay.
How to use this calculator
- Measure the area in square metres.
- Set the depth — 100–150mm for a new lawn, more for beds and deep levelling.
- Allow a little extra for settlement.
- Get delivered quotes for the volume or bulk bags.
How we work this out
We take your area and finished depth, work out the volume in cubic metres, then convert to weight using a loose delivered density of 1.5 tonnes per cubic metre for Screened topsoil — the figure used across the UK trade. The compaction and wastage allowance is added on top so you don’t run short. Bulk-bag counts assume a standard 850 kg dumpy bag.
Delivered densities and coverage vary with grade, moisture and how hard the material is compacted, so these figures are a working estimate to size your order — always confirm the exact quantity and price with your supplier before buying. Our team reviews the density figures and guidance periodically; this page was last reviewed on 12 July 2026.
Frequently asked
How deep should topsoil be for a lawn?
Aim for at least 100–150mm of quality topsoil for a healthy new lawn; deeper for beds and borders.
How much does a cubic metre of topsoil weigh?
Screened topsoil weighs roughly 1.5 tonnes per cubic metre, though moisture content varies it.