Fill Dirt Calculator
Filling a hole, leveling a low spot or raising the grade? Enter the area and average depth to see how many cubic yards and tons of fill dirt to order.
Results
How the fill dirt calculator works
The math is simple: multiply the length and width of the area to get square footage, then multiply by the depth of the layer to get volume. Suppliers sell by the cubic yard (27 cubic feet), so the calculator divides by 27, and uses the material's density to convert volume into weight.
Formula: Length (ft) × Width (ft) × Depth (ft) ÷ 27 = cubic yards, then cubic feet × density (lb/ft³) ÷ 2,000 = US tons.
| Material | lb/yd³ | tons/yd³ |
|---|---|---|
| Screened fill dirt | ≈ 2,100 | ≈ 1.05 |
| Loam / garden soil | ≈ 2,000 | ≈ 1.0 |
| Wet clay | up to 3,000 | up to 1.5 |
A standard single-axle dump truck delivers 8–12 cubic yards; a tandem-axle truck 14–18 yards. For big grading jobs, price per yard drops sharply with full truckloads.
Tips before you order
- Fill dirt compacts roughly 10–20% when tamped — order extra if the fill will support anything (the calculator adds 10%).
- Fill in layers ("lifts") of 4–6 inches, compacting each one, if the area will bear weight.
- Use clean fill (no organic matter) under structures — topsoil decomposes and settles.
- For lawn repair, fill with dirt to 2–4" below grade, then finish with topsoil for grass to root in.
Frequently asked questions
How many cubic yards of dirt do I need to fill a hole?
Multiply the hole's length × width × average depth in feet, then divide by 27. A 10×10 ft area filled 6 inches deep needs about 1.85 cubic yards.
How much does a cubic yard of fill dirt weigh?
Roughly 2,000–2,200 lb (about 1 ton) when dry. Wet or clay-heavy dirt can reach 3,000 lb per cubic yard.
What's the difference between fill dirt and topsoil?
Fill dirt is subsoil with little organic matter — it's stable and cheap, ideal for filling and grading. Topsoil is the nutrient-rich top layer that plants grow in. Fill deep, then cap with topsoil.
How much dirt fits in a pickup truck?
A full-size pickup bed holds about 2 cubic yards by volume, but dirt is heavy — most half-ton trucks should only carry ⅓–½ yard (about 1,000 lb) safely.