A cubic yard of topsoil weighs about 2,000 to 2,200 pounds (1 to 1.1 tons) when dry, and up to 3,000 pounds when saturated with water. Moisture is the biggest variable: soil that feels merely damp can carry 20–30% more weight than the same soil dried out.
What changes the weight
Moisture is first — water weighs 8.3 lbs per gallon, and a yard of soil can hold dozens of gallons after rain. Clay content is second: clay particles pack tighter than sand, so clay-heavy topsoil runs heavier per yard. Organic matter pulls the other way — compost-rich blends are noticeably lighter than mineral-heavy fill.
Weight by soil type
| Material | Pounds per cubic yard | Tons per cubic yard |
|---|---|---|
| Dry screened topsoil | 2,000–2,200 | 1.0–1.1 |
| Moist topsoil (typical delivery) | 2,200–2,700 | 1.1–1.35 |
| Wet / clay-heavy topsoil | 2,700–3,000 | 1.35–1.5 |
| Compost-rich garden blend | 1,500–1,800 | 0.75–0.9 |
| Fill dirt (compacted) | 2,200–2,700 | 1.1–1.35 |
Can your truck carry it?
This is where the weight matters most. A half-ton pickup (F-150, Silverado 1500) is rated for roughly 1,500–2,000 lbs of payload — less than one yard of topsoil, even though a yard fits easily in the bed by volume. A full yard of damp soil can exceed 2,500 lbs and overload the truck badly. Plan on half a yard per pickup trip, or just pay the delivery fee: most suppliers deliver 1–10 yards for $50–$100.
How much do you need?
Weight is what limits hauling, but you buy topsoil by volume. Use our topsoil calculator to convert your project area into cubic yards, tons, and 40-lb bag counts — it includes presets for lawns, gardens, and raised beds, plus a 15–20% settling allowance.