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Dirt Calculator

Updated How we build and test

Enter the size and depth of the hole, trench or low area you want to fill to see how many cubic yards and tons of fill dirt to order, and how many truckloads that is.

Shape of the area
%

Loose fill settles as it is compacted. Raise this for deep fills; use 0 for the exact volume.

lb / yd³

Dirt typically weighs 2,200–2,500 lb per cubic yard; clay fill 2,300–2,700 lb.

yd³

Ask your supplier what their truck holds.

$

Fill dirt needed

Enter the area and depth to see how much dirt you need.

How to use the dirt calculator

  1. Pick a rectangle for yards, trenches and raised areas, or a circle for round holes and ponds.
  2. Enter the depth to fill. If the depth varies, measure it in several places and use the average.
  3. Keep an allowance for settling. The deeper the fill and the more you compact it, the more extra you need.
  4. Add your truck’s capacity and a price to see the number of loads and the cost.

Fill dirt formulas

Cubic yards = length (ft) × width (ft) × depth (ft) ÷ 27
Round hole: cubic yards = π × (diameter ÷ 2)² × depth ÷ 27
Tons = cubic yards × weight per yd³ ÷ 2,000
Truckloads = cubic yards ÷ truck capacity, rounded up

North Bay Materials’ density chart lists dirt at 2,200–2,500 lb per cubic yard, about 1.2 tons, and its screened clay fill at
2,300–2,700 lb. This page uses 2,400 lb. Weight changes with moisture and clay content, so use your supplier’s figure when you have it.

Worked example: raising a 20 × 30 ft area by 6 in

  1. Volume: 20 × 30 × 0.5 = 300 ft³.
  2. Cubic yards: 300 ÷ 27 = 11.11 yd³.
  3. Add 10% for settling: 12.22 yd³.
  4. Weight: 12.22 × 2,400 ÷ 2,000 = 14.7 tons.

A round hole 8 ft across and 3 ft deep, such as an old pond, holds 5.59 yd³. A trench 40 ft long, 18 in wide and 2 ft deep
takes 4.44 yd³ to backfill.

Fill dirt, topsoil or something else?

  • Fill dirt is subsoil with little organic matter. It compacts and stays put, which is what you want for raising grade, filling holes and backfilling foundations.
  • Clay-rich fill compacts densely. North Bay Materials notes that because its clay fill holds moisture and packs tight, it isn’t suitable for drainage systems or planting areas.
  • Topsoil is the top, organic layer for lawns and gardens. A common approach is fill dirt for the bulk of a raise and a topsoil layer on top; the topsoil calculator handles that layer.
  • Gravel is the better fill where water has to drain away. See the gravel calculator.

Tips

  • Compact in layers. Spreading and compacting fill a few inches at a time settles it far better than one deep dump.
  • Grade away from the house. When you raise ground near a foundation, keep the finished surface sloping away from the walls.
  • Call 811 before you dig. In the US, 811 arranges for underground utility lines to be marked before excavation.
  • Ask about truck size. Dump trucks vary, so ask the supplier how many cubic yards their truck carries and enter it above.

Questions

How much does a yard of dirt weigh?

Typically 2,200–2,500 lb, about 1.2 tons, per North Bay Materials. Wet clay can weigh more.

How much dirt do I need to fill a hole?

Measure the diameter and depth, choose Circle above and add extra for settling. An 8 ft wide, 3 ft deep hole takes about 5.6 yd³ before extra.

How many cubic yards are in a ton of dirt?

At 2,400 lb per cubic yard, one ton is 0.83 yd³.

How much extra fill should I order for settling?

It depends on the soil, its moisture and how hard you compact it. Ask your supplier how much their fill typically settles and set the Extra field to match.

Sources

  1. Landscape Materials Density Chart, North Bay Materials.
    Used for: Typical weights per cubic yard for gravel, sand, dirt and mulch.
  2. Screened Fill Dirt (Clay Blend), North Bay Materials.
    Used for: Fill dirt weight (2,300–2,700 lb per cubic yard) and compaction behavior.

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