A cubic yard of topsoil typically costs $20-50 delivered in most US markets. Screened topsoil sits at $20-40/yd; premium blended topsoil with compost runs $40-80/yd. Costs vary by region, season, delivery distance, and order volume — orders under 3 yards often have minimum delivery fees that effectively double the per-yard cost. Below: exact pricing ranges by topsoil type, region, and how to save on bulk orders.
How much does a yard of topsoil cost?
Here are the typical price ranges for delivered topsoil by type, current 2026 pricing in most US markets:
| Topsoil Type | Cost Per Cubic Yard | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Unscreened topsoil | $10-25 | Fill, grading, non-planting use |
| Screened topsoil (standard) | $20-40 | General landscaping, lawns |
| Premium screened topsoil | $35-55 | Garden beds, ornamental planting |
| Blended topsoil (with compost) | $40-70 | Vegetable gardens, raised beds |
| Lawn soil blend | $40-80 | New lawns, sod establishment |
| Bagged topsoil (retail) | $80-120/yd equivalent | Small projects, 1-3 bags |
These are pre-delivery prices. Delivery typically adds $50-150 depending on distance and load size.
What affects topsoil pricing?
Region of the country
Topsoil pricing varies significantly by region:
- Southeast and Midwest: lowest prices ($15-35/yd) — abundant natural topsoil sources
- Pacific Northwest: moderate ($25-45/yd)
- Northeast (especially NYC metro, Boston): highest ($40-80/yd) — limited supply, high transport costs
- Southwest (Arizona, Nevada): high ($40-70/yd) — most topsoil must be trucked in or amended from imported materials
- Rural areas: cheaper material, but higher delivery costs offset some savings
Order volume
Topsoil price per yard drops significantly at scale:
- 1-2 yards: highest per-yard cost, plus minimum delivery fees
- 3-5 yards: standard pricing
- 5-10 yards: typically 10-15% per-yard discount
- 10+ yards: best per-yard pricing, dedicated delivery
Season
Demand peaks in spring (April-June) and fall (September-October). Off-season ordering (winter, mid-summer) can save 10-20%.
Delivery distance
Most suppliers include delivery within 10-15 miles in their quoted price. Beyond that, expect $2-5/mile added or a flat delivery fee.
Bagged vs bulk topsoil cost comparison
Standard bagged topsoil at home improvement stores is 0.75-1 cubic foot per bag at $3-5 each. To equal one cubic yard (27 cubic feet), you need 27-36 bags at $80-180 total — significantly more than bulk delivery.
| Order Size | Bagged Cost | Bulk Cost (Delivered) | Bulk Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 cubic yard | $80-180 | $50-150 (with delivery) | Modest |
| 3 cubic yards | $240-540 | $100-200 | 50-60% |
| 5 cubic yards | $400-900 | $150-300 | 60-70% |
| 10 cubic yards | $800-1,800 | $250-500 | 70-75% |
Break-even point: about 1.5-2 cubic yards. Below that, bagged is sometimes equivalent due to delivery minimums. Above 2 yards, bulk is always cheaper.
How much topsoil do you actually need?
Calculate cubic yards: (Length × Width × Depth in feet) ÷ 27.
Quick reference for common projects:
- 4’×8′ raised garden bed, 12″ deep: 1.2 cubic yards
- Topdressing a 1,000 sq ft lawn at ½”: 1.5 cubic yards
- 500 sq ft new lawn area, 4″ deep: 6.2 cubic yards
- 10’×10′ flower bed, 6″ deep: 1.85 cubic yards
See our how much topsoil do I need guide for project-by-project calculations, or our cubic yard topsoil weight guide for hauling considerations.
How to get the best price on topsoil
- Order in volume: 3+ yards almost always beats bagged or 1-yard delivery on per-yard cost
- Get 3 quotes: prices vary 30-50% between suppliers in the same area
- Order off-season: late fall or mid-winter delivery often discounted
- Pick up yourself: if you have a truck, hauling saves $50-150 in delivery fees
- Ask about minimum orders: some suppliers require 3-yard minimums for delivery
- Look at less-screened options: if you don’t need fine texture, unscreened topsoil at $10-20/yd is dramatically cheaper
- Combine orders with neighbors: split a 10-yard delivery to benefit from volume pricing
- Skip the “premium” tier if not needed: standard screened topsoil works for most lawn and general landscaping
What about free topsoil?
Free topsoil sources exist:
- Construction sites: builders excavating new construction sometimes have topsoil they need to dispose of
- Municipal compost facilities: many cities offer free or low-cost compost/soil to residents
- Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace: search “free topsoil” or “free dirt” in your area
- Local farmers: small farms sometimes have surplus topsoil from clearing or grading work
Caveats with free topsoil: quality varies wildly. May contain construction debris, weed seeds, contamination, or poor soil composition. Inspect before hauling, and never use unknown topsoil in vegetable gardens.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a truckload of topsoil cost?
A standard dump truck carries 10-12 cubic yards. At $20-40/yd, that’s $200-500 for the material. Add delivery (often included in larger orders) and total truckload cost runs $250-600.
Is bagged topsoil better than bulk?
Generally no — bagged is more expensive and the quality is variable. Bulk topsoil from a local supplier is typically fresher and more consistent. Bagged is convenient for very small projects (1-2 bags) where bulk delivery doesn’t make sense.
How much does 5 yards of topsoil cost?
Five cubic yards of standard screened topsoil costs $100-200 for the material plus $50-100 delivery in most markets — total $150-300 delivered. Premium blends run $200-400 for 5 yards delivered.
Should I buy topsoil from Home Depot or a local supplier?
For projects over 1 yard, a local landscape supplier is almost always cheaper and offers higher quality. Home Depot’s bagged topsoil works for small bag-and-go projects. For deliveries, get quotes from 2-3 local soil suppliers — they specialize and pricing reflects it.
What’s the cheapest type of topsoil?
Unscreened bulk topsoil at $10-25/yd is the cheapest option. Quality varies — may contain rocks, roots, or debris. Best for grading, fill, or as a base layer to be amended with compost.
Find topsoil suppliers and pricing near you
Topsoil.com lists over 10,000 verified topsoil suppliers across all 50 states. Get quotes from multiple local suppliers — prices vary 30-50% within the same region.
Popular state directories: California, Texas, Florida, Pennsylvania, Ohio.
Related guides: Cubic Yard Topsoil Weight, Blended vs Screened Topsoil, Fill Dirt vs Topsoil.
