How Much Topsoil Do I Need?
Short answer: multiply the area’s length by its width (in feet), multiply by the depth in inches, and divide by 324 — that’s your cubic yards. A new bed or lawn area usually takes 4–6 inches. Use the calculator below, then pick up at our yard in Cohoes or have it delivered by dump truck.
Topsoil calculator
The formula
Square feet × depth in inches ÷ 324 = cubic yards. A 20 × 10 ft area is 200 sq ft; at 4 inches that’s 200 × 4 ÷ 324 = 2.47 cubic yards — order 2½. For an odd-shaped area, break it into rectangles and add them up.
How deep?
- New garden bed or lawn area: 4–6 inches.
- Filling low spots: measure the actual depth of the dip and use that.
- Not sure? Bring your measurements to the counter and we’ll figure it with you.
Troy’s topsoil prices
| Material | Yard, picked up | Half yard, picked up | Per yard, delivered delivery charge is added |
|---|---|---|---|
| Topsoil | $58 | $34 | $58 |
Prices from our register as of October 1, 2026. Sales tax is extra.
Topsoil delivery charge by town
Dump-truck delivery starts at $80, set by your ZIP code. Every ZIP, with its charge and minimum, is on the delivery page.
| Town | Dump-truck delivery charge | Minimum per material |
|---|---|---|
| Latham, NY | $80 | 2 yards |
| Albany, NY | $80–$90 | 2–3 yards |
| Troy, NY | $80–$85 | 2 yards |
| Clifton Park, NY | $80 | 2 yards |
| Waterford, NY | $80 | 2 yards |
| Cohoes, NY | $80 | 2 yards |
| Watervliet, NY | $85 | 2 yards |
| Schenectady, NY | $90 | 3 yards |
| Rexford, NY | $85 | 2 yards |
| Mechanicville, NY | $85 | 2 yards |
Also for your project
Sod and grass seed for a new lawn, starter fertilizer, mulch to finish a bed, and our bulk calculator for stone and other materials.