Loam Calculator
Enter the area you're covering and the depth to get how much loam or topsoil you need in cubic yards, cubic feet and tons.
Loam is a balanced topsoil of sand, silt and clay — the ideal base for lawns and beds. It's sold by volume (cubic yards) for bulk delivery, and sometimes by weight (tons), so this tool gives you both.
How to calculate how much loam you need
Multiply the area by the depth to get the volume, then convert to cubic yards. To estimate weight, loam is roughly 1.3 tons per cubic yard.
Cubic feet = Area (sq ft) × Depth (inches) ÷ 12
Cubic yards = Cubic feet ÷ 27
Tons ≈ Cubic yards × 1.3
Cubic yards = Cubic feet ÷ 27
Tons ≈ Cubic yards × 1.3
| Depth | Best for |
|---|---|
| 1–2 inches | Top-dressing an existing lawn |
| 3–4 inches | Seeding a new lawn or filling beds |
| 6+ inches | Raised beds and levelling low spots |
Worked example
A 30 ft × 20 ft area at 4 inches deep:
| Area = 30 × 20 | 600 sq ft |
| Cubic feet = 600 × 4 ÷ 12 | 200 cu ft |
| Cubic yards = 200 ÷ 27 | ≈ 7.4 yd³ |
| Weight ≈ 7.4 × 1.3 | ≈ 9.6 tons |
Feet or metres?
Switch to metric to enter the area in metres and depth in centimetres; results show cubic metres and tonnes.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cubic yard of loam weigh?
Roughly 1.3 tons when moist, though it varies with moisture and clay content — wet loam can be heavier.
How much does a yard of loam cover?
One cubic yard covers about 100 sq ft at 3 inches deep, 160 sq ft at 2 inches, or 320 sq ft at 1 inch.
Is loam the same as topsoil?
Loam is a high-quality type of topsoil with a balanced mix of sand, silt and clay. All loam is topsoil, but not all topsoil is true loam.
Related calculators
Estimates only; weight varies with moisture. Order about 10% extra for settling and levelling.