Topsoil Depth Guide
A one-page printable reference with the right topsoil depth for every project. Lawn topdressing, new seedbed, raised bed fill, garden amendment, and patching low spots — each with the correct soil type and practical tips.
What's in the Cheatsheet
The topsoil depth guide covers five common soil projects with the depth range, the right soil product for each use case, and the mistakes that kill lawns or waste money. It also includes two raised bed soil recipes so you get the blend right without guessing.
Recommended Depths by Project
| Project | Depth | Best Soil Type | Key Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lawn Topdressing | ¼ in | Screened topsoil (75 lb/ft³) | Never exceed ½ in — deeper smothers existing grass |
| New Lawn / Seedbed | 4 in | Screened topsoil (75 lb/ft³) | Full layer over subsoil; most projects need bulk delivery |
| Garden Bed Amendment | 2–3 in | Topsoil + Compost Blend (58 lb/ft³) | Spread on top, then till into top 6–8 in of native soil |
| Raised Bed Fill | 6–18 in | Raised Bed Mix (55 lb/ft³) | Plain topsoil is too dense; use a blended mix for drainage |
| Low Spots / Patch | 1 in | Screened topsoil (75 lb/ft³) | For fills deeper than 2 in, use fill dirt below and topsoil on top |
Raised Bed Soil Recipes
The number one mistake with raised beds is filling them with straight topsoil. Pure topsoil is heavy (~75 lb/cu ft), compacts readily, and drains poorly in a raised frame. A blended mix is lighter, drains better, and provides the nutrients plants need. The cheatsheet includes two recipes:
| Recipe | Components | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Standard (60/30/10) | 60% topsoil + 30% compost + 10% perlite/peat | Vegetables, herbs, flowers — good all-around blend |
| Simple (50/50) | 50% topsoil + 50% compost | Quick budget option — nutrient-rich but settles more over time |
Soil Types Explained
Not all "topsoil" at the garden center is the same product. Screened topsoil (~75 lb/cu ft) is raw soil passed through a screen to remove rocks and debris. It is the cheapest option and works well for lawns and grading. Garden mix (~65 lb/cu ft) blends topsoil with compost for better nutrients and structure — ideal for new garden beds. Raised bed mix (~55 lb/cu ft) is the lightest, with added perlite or peat for drainage. Compost (~40 lb/cu ft) is pure organic matter used as an amendment, not a standalone fill. The density difference matters for delivery: a 10-cubic-yard truckload of screened topsoil weighs about 10 tons, while the same volume of raised bed mix weighs only 7.4 tons.
Lawn Topdressing — the Depth Everyone Gets Wrong
Topdressing an existing lawn requires only ¼ inch of screened topsoil spread evenly before overseeding. Many homeowners apply 1–2 inches thinking more is better, which actually smothers the existing grass and creates a thick layer the seeds cannot push through. A quarter inch is enough to fill minor depressions, improve seed-to-soil contact, and encourage germination. For leveling deeper ruts (over ½ inch), fill the low spots first, wait for grass to grow through, then topdress the whole area.
Calculate Your Order
With your target depth from this guide, use the Topsoil Calculator to get exact quantities in cubic yards, bags, and pallets. The calculator includes a raised bed recipe breakdown that shows how much of each component to order separately.