How much does a yard of topsoil weigh?
2,200lb
dry screened topsoil, about 1.1 tons
A cubic yard of dry screened topsoil weighs about 2,200 lb — roughly 1.1 US tons. Wet soil is far heavier, reaching 3,000–3,400 lb, which is why a load delivered after rain costs more per useful yard.
weight = 81 lb per cubic foot × 27 ≈ 2,200 lb per cubic yard
- Dry screened topsoil: about 2,200 lb per cubic yard (1.1 tons)
- Wet topsoil: 3,000–3,400 lb per cubic yard
- Unscreened fill dirt: about 2,600 lb per cubic yard dry
- Compost: about 1,200 lb per cubic yard
- Two cubic yards is already beyond most half-ton pickup payloads
Weight per cubic yard, dry
| Material | lb per cubic yard | US tons |
|---|---|---|
| Screened topsoil | 2,187 lb | 1.09 |
| Compost | 1,188 lb | 0.59 |
| Sand (dry) | 2,808 lb | 1.4 |
| Bark or wood mulch | 594 lb | 0.3 |
Topsoil calculator
Lawns, beds and raised beds — in cubic yards, tons and bags.
Dirt, topsoil and fill
Screened topsoil is sieved and consistent. Unscreened fill dirt holds stones, clay and roots, and usually weighs more for the same volume — closer to 2,600 lb per yard when dry.
What your truck can take
Two cubic yards of dry topsoil is about 4,400 lb, which already exceeds the payload of most half-ton pickups. Trailer loads are limited by weight long before they look full.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a yard of topsoil weigh?
About 2,200 lb (1.1 tons) dry and screened; 3,000–3,400 lb when wet.
How much does a yard of dirt weigh?
Unscreened fill dirt runs heavier than topsoil, roughly 2,600 lb per cubic yard dry and more when wet or full of clay.
How many tons is 3 yards of topsoil?
About 3.3 tons dry, or over 4.5 tons if the soil is wet.