Topsoil & Compost
Screened topsoil, subsoil and soil improvers — grades, depths and what BS 3882 actually means.
Topsoil is the one bulk material where quality varies enormously for the same name on the ticket. The standard worth knowing is BS 3882, which sets out what can be sold as topsoil and how it is classified — if a supplier cannot tell you whether their soil is tested to it, that is itself an answer.
Sold by
Tonne, bulk bag (~850kg) or full load
Standard
BS 3882:2015 Specification for topsoil
Bulk density
~1.2–1.4 tonnes per m³
Lawn depth
100–150mm · beds 300–450mm
Topsoil & Compost on Loadbase
Delivered prices depend on the distance from the yard to your site, so they are quoted against your postcode rather than listed here.
See topsoil & compost near youGrades of topsoil
Screened topsoil has been passed through a screen (commonly 10mm or 20mm) to remove stone, root and debris. It is the right choice for lawns, turfing and raised beds where you need an even, workable surface.
Economy or as-dug topsoil is unscreened. It is cheaper and perfectly usable for bulk filling, landscaping mounds and areas that will be planted rather than seeded — but expect stone and lumps.
Subsoil is not topsoil at all. It sits beneath the topsoil layer, has very little organic content, and is used to fill volume before topsoil is placed on top. Planting into subsoil is why new-build gardens fail.
What BS 3882 tells you
BS 3882:2015 classifies topsoil as multipurpose or specific purpose, and sets limits for things that matter to plants: texture, pH, nutrients, organic matter, and contaminants including stones and sharps.
A supplier selling BS 3882 multipurpose topsoil should be able to produce a test certificate. For a lawn it is worth asking; for structural landscaping or anywhere a specification names the standard, it is not optional.
How much you need
Topsoil is sold by weight and laid by depth. As a rule, one tonne covers about 8m² at 100mm depth.
Typical depths: 100–150mm for new lawns and turf, 300mm for general planting beds, and 450mm or more for shrubs and small trees.
Soil settles. Order for the finished depth and allow a little extra — a bed that looks generous on delivery day will be level with the path by spring.
Work out how much you need
Common questions
How much topsoil do I need for a new lawn?
Allow about one tonne per 8m² at 100mm depth. A 50m² lawn therefore needs roughly 6 to 7 tonnes. Increase the depth to 150mm on poor or compacted sub-grade.
What is the difference between topsoil and compost?
Topsoil is mineral soil with some organic content and is the growing medium itself. Compost is decomposed organic matter used to improve soil — it is a conditioner, not a substitute, and planting into pure compost causes plants to dry out and sink.
Can I use subsoil under topsoil?
Yes, and it is the normal way to make up levels economically. Fill with subsoil to within the required topsoil depth of finished level, then place screened topsoil on top.
What does BS 3882 mean on a topsoil listing?
It means the soil is claimed to meet the British Standard for topsoil, which sets limits on texture, pH, nutrients, stone content and contaminants. Ask for the test certificate — the claim is only worth what the paperwork supports.
Other materials
Trade guidance, not a specification. Always work to the product's Declaration of Performance and any drawing or engineer's specification for the job. Reviewed 2026-07-12.