If you're installing a new lawn, refilling a settled garden bed, or grading a property, knowing what a cubic yard of loam actually weighs helps you size your delivery, plan equipment, and gauge the load on your driveway. This guide breaks down loam weight and how to calculate it.
What Is Loam?
Loam is a soil with a balanced mix of sand, silt, and clay (roughly 40-40-20) plus organic matter. The texture is loose enough to drain but holds enough water and nutrients to grow turf and garden plants well. "Screened loam" is loam passed through a mesh screen to remove rocks and debris.
In New England, "loam" and "topsoil" are often used interchangeably, but technically loam is a specific soil texture while topsoil is the upper soil horizon (which may or may not be loamy).
What Affects the Weight of Loam?
1. Moisture Content
Wet loam can weigh 30% more than dry loam. The same cubic yard at 1,800 lbs dry can hit 2,400 lbs after rain.
2. Sand vs Clay Balance
Sandy loam weighs slightly less than clay-heavy loam because sand grains are larger and pack with more air gap. Clay-heavy loam is denser per cubic yard.
3. Organic Content
Loam blended with compost (Super Loam, garden soil mixes) weighs less than pure mineral loam because organic matter is lighter than mineral particles.
Average Loam Weight Per Cubic Yard
On average, screened loam weighs about 2,000 to 2,200 pounds per cubic yard. The full range runs from 1,800 lbs (dry, sandy, organic-rich) to 2,400 lbs (wet, clay-heavy).
Quick reference for our most popular Boston-area loam:
- Topsoil ½" Screened: ~2,100 lbs/cy
- Super Loam: ~1,950 lbs/cy (compost-amended, lighter)
- Garden Soil Mix: ~1,850 lbs/cy
How to Calculate Loam Weight
To estimate the total weight for your project:
- Volume needed (in cubic yards)
- Estimated weight per yard (~2,100 lbs as a working average)
Then multiply:Cubic Yards x Weight per Cubic Yard = Total Weight (lbs)
Example:
For a new 1,500 sq ft lawn at 4" of loam depth, you need about 18 cubic yards. At ~2,100 lbs/yard:18 x 2,100 = 37,800 lbs (about 18.9 tons — plan multi-truck delivery)
For coverage planning: 1 cubic yard of loam covers about 100 square feet at 3" depth, or 80 sq ft at 4" depth.
💡 Tip: Use the calculator on each loam product page to estimate exactly how many cubic yards your project needs.
Where to Buy Loam in Greater Boston
For fast bulk loam delivery across the Greater Boston area, Ottr Landscape Supply delivers screened loam by the cubic yard. We carry standard topsoil-loam, premium Super Loam, and compost-amended garden soil mix.
No minimum order, same-day and next-day delivery across Suffolk, Middlesex, Norfolk, and Plymouth County.
Get a Quote or Order Loam Online Today
Whether you're installing a full new lawn, building raised beds, or filling settled spots, our screened loam is delivered direct by the cubic yard. Browse our lawn repair and topsoil collection for the full lineup.
