Construction & Materials

Dirt Fill Calculator

Cubic yards

Approximate tons

Cost estimate

Project DimensionsFree - Instant

Length (ft)

Width (ft)

Fill Depth

Cost per cubic yard ($)

How Fill Dirt Volume Is Calculated

Multiply the length, width, and depth (all in feet) to get cubic feet, then divide by 27 to convert to cubic yards. Fill dirt is sold by the cubic yard.

Volume (cu ft) = Length x Width x Depth (ft)
Cubic Yards = Volume / 27
Weight (approx.) = Cubic Yards x 1.35 tons

Who Is This Calculator For?

Anyone who needs to estimate fill dirt volume for grading, leveling, or filling a project area.

Homeowners leveling a yard

Figure out how many cubic yards to order before calling a fill dirt supplier, so you're not stuck with too little or a costly return trip.

Landscapers filling low spots

Quickly calculate material for any size depression, drainage swale, or graded slope project.

Contractors grading a building site

Estimate fill volumes for pad preparation, foundation back-fill, and rough grading on new construction.

Gardeners raising planting beds

Determine how much fill to add below your topsoil layer when building a raised bed from scratch.

Property owners repairing erosion

Calculate dirt needed to restore eroded areas near driveways, fences, or retaining walls.

Excavation crews disposing of spoil

Use the volume formula in reverse to estimate how much excavated material needs to be trucked away.

When Should You Use It?

Before calling a fill dirt supplier to know exactly how many yards to request
When comparing prices from multiple suppliers and need a consistent quantity to quote
To verify a contractor's fill estimate before approving a change order
When planning a project with an irregular fill depth across multiple zones
Before ordering a delivery truck to confirm the load size will cover the area

Example Calculations

Example 1: Leveling a low backyard area

A homeowner has a 20 ft x 10 ft depression that is 6 inches below the surrounding grade.

Volume = 20 x 10 x (6/12) = 100 cu ft
Cubic Yards = 100 / 27 = 3.7 cu yd
With 15% compaction buffer: 3.7 x 1.15 = 4.3 cu yd to order
At $35/yd delivered: 4.3 x $35 = ~$150

Example 2: Grading a large building pad

A contractor needs to raise a 40 ft x 30 ft pad by 8 inches for a new outbuilding.

Volume = 40 x 30 x (8/12) = 800 cu ft
Cubic Yards = 800 / 27 = 29.6 cu yd
With 15% compaction buffer: 29.6 x 1.15 = 34 cu yd to order

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Not adding for compaction

Loose fill compacts 10-20% after it is placed and rained on. If you order exactly the calculated volume, you will end up with a finished grade 1-2 inches lower than planned. Always order at least 10-15% extra.

Confusing fill dirt with topsoil

Fill dirt is subsoil with no organic matter - it is used to raise grade. Topsoil is the nutrient-rich surface layer for planting. Do not use topsoil as structural fill; it shifts and compresses too much. Order fill dirt for the base and topsoil only for the final 4-6 inch planting layer.

Entering depth in feet when you mean inches

If your area needs 6 inches of fill and you enter 6 with the unit set to feet, the result will be 12x too large. Toggle between 'in' and 'ft' to match how you measured.

Ignoring existing slope across the area

If your area is not level, the fill depth varies from one end to the other. Measure the fill depth at multiple points, average them, and use that average as your depth input to get an accurate volume.

Not calling 811 before digging or placing heavy loads

In the US, call 811 before any earthwork project to have underground utilities marked. Placing several tons of fill over an unmarked gas or water line is a serious risk.

Frequently Asked Questions

Calculate: Length (ft) x Width (ft) x Depth (ft) / 27 = cubic yards. For a 20x10 area at 6 inches deep: 20 x 10 x 0.5 / 27 = 3.7 cubic yards. Order 10-15% extra for compaction and settling.

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Sources & References

US Army Corps of Engineers - Engineering and Design: Soil Compaction

Source for compaction factor estimates (10-20% settling) and the practice of placing fill in 6-inch compacted lifts for earthwork projects.

EPA - Clean Fill Policy Guidance

Source for the distinction between clean fill dirt (subsoil without contaminants) and general fill, and why fill material should be verified before placement near waterways.

ASTM D698 - Standard Test Methods for Laboratory Compaction of Soil

Standard used in civil engineering to characterize the compaction and density of fill materials, informing the 1.35 tons per cubic yard density estimate.

Hassaan Rasheed

Developer and Researcher, CalculatorFlux

Researches and verifies the formulas, methodology, and source data behind each calculator on CalculatorFlux. All tools are built and checked against the cited references before publication.

Last updated: May 2026

Coverage Reference

1 cubic yard covers	At depth
324 sq ft	1 inch
162 sq ft	2 inches
108 sq ft	3 inches
81 sq ft	4 inches
54 sq ft	6 inches
27 sq ft	12 inches

Pro Tip

Order 10-15% more fill than calculated to account for compaction. Loose fill typically compacts 10-20% after placement and rainfall, leaving a surface level lower than planned.

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