Conversions & Reference
Dirt & Fill Calculator
Calculate how much dirt or fill you need in cubic yards, tons, and truckloads for grading, backfill, raised beds, and landscaping projects.
Fill Dirt Weight
~2,200 lbs/cu yd
Topsoil Weight
~2,000 lbs/cu yd
Dump Truck Capacity
10-14 cu yd
1 Cubic Yard
27 cu ft
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How to Use This Calculator
This fill dirt calculator and topsoil calculator helps you measure the length and width of the area you need to fill in feet. Determine the depth of material needed in inches — typically 4-6 inches for topsoil, 6-12 inches for grading, or as specified by your project plan. Select the material type to get an accurate weight estimate, since dirt, gravel, and sand have very different densities.
Why This Matters
Wondering how much dirt do I need? Ordering too little means delays and extra delivery charges. Ordering too much wastes money and leaves excess material to deal with. For large projects, the difference between an accurate estimate and a guess can be thousands of dollars. This calculator eliminates guesswork by accounting for material density and giving you cubic yards (how suppliers sell) and tons (how they weigh).
Methodology
Volume = Length (ft) × Width (ft) × Depth (in) / 12 = cubic feet. Cubic yards = cubic feet / 27. Weight (tons) = cubic yards × material density (lbs/cu yd) / 2000. Truckloads assume a standard 10 cubic yard dump truck. Material densities are industry averages for dry material — wet conditions increase weight by 20-30%.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Not accounting for compaction — loose fill dirt compacts 10-20% after placement and settling.
- Confusing cubic yards (volume) with tons (weight) when ordering — suppliers may sell by either unit.
- Using fill dirt where topsoil is needed — fill dirt has no nutrients and will not support plant growth.
- Forgetting to check local grading codes — some jurisdictions require permits for fill over 12 inches.
Tips & Best Practices
- Order 10-15% more than calculated to account for compaction, settling, and uneven ground.
- Fill dirt is cheaper than topsoil — use fill for grading and topsoil only for the top 4-6 inches.
- Compact fill dirt in 6-inch lifts for structural stability around foundations.
- Wet dirt weighs significantly more — plan deliveries for dry weather.
- Ask your supplier about delivery fees — they often charge per mile beyond a set radius.