Free fill dirt calculator — cubic yards, weight and cost
Work out how much fill dirt to order for grading, levelling, backfill or building up a low spot. Add as many areas as you need and get cubic yards, tons and truck loads.
How much fill do you actually need?
Fill jobs are almost always bigger than they look. A low spot that seems minor across a large area adds up fast: an inch across 1,000 square feet is already three cubic yards, and most levelling jobs are several inches over a wide area.
Fill compacts substantially. Loose-dumped dirt settles by roughly 20 to 25% once it is compacted and rained on, so order more than the hole measures — or plan on a top-up. For anything structural, fill should go in in lifts of six to eight inches with compaction between them, not one deep dump.
Do not pay topsoil prices for bulk fill. Fill dirt is a fraction of the cost and is the correct material for building up volume. Save the screened topsoil for the last few inches where things need to grow.
Coverage at a glance
How far one cubic yard goes, and what 1,000 square feet takes, at each common depth:
| Depth | One cubic yard covers | 1,000 sq ft needs |
|---|---|---|
| 3" | 108 sq ft | 9.3 cu yd |
| 6" | 54 sq ft | 18.5 cu yd |
| 12" | 27 sq ft | 37.0 cu yd |
| 24" | 14 sq ft | 74.1 cu yd |
Weight and delivery
Fill dirt runs around 1.2 tons per cubic yard, heavier when wet or clay-rich. Ten yards is about 12 tons — squarely tandem-truck territory.
Before you order, check access. Bulk material is tipped, not carried — the truck needs room to back in and raise its bed, and most suppliers will not tip on a surface they might damage. Ask about the delivery fee and the minimum order separately, because both change the maths on small jobs.
Turn it into a quote
Hit Copy order and the whole breakdown goes to your clipboard, ready to paste into an estimate. Add your labour, price it with the profit margin calculator, and send it with the estimate generator.
Related: cubic yard calculator, gravel, topsoil, mulch and concrete calculators, plus state-by-state rate data for what landscapers and contractors earn.
FAQ
How much fill dirt do I need?
Multiply the area by the depth in feet and divide by 27. Filling 1,000 square feet to a depth of 6 inches needs about 18.5 cubic yards. Add 20% or so for compaction, because loose fill settles considerably.
How much does a yard of fill dirt weigh?
Roughly 2,000 to 2,700 pounds, about 1 to 1.35 tons, depending on clay content and moisture. Wet clay fill is at the heavy end and is genuinely hard on equipment.
How many yards are in a dump truck load?
It varies by truck. A single-axle dump typically carries 5 to 8 cubic yards; a tandem carries 10 to 14; a tri-axle can take more. Ask your supplier what they are running, because delivery is usually priced per load rather than per yard.
What is the difference between fill dirt and topsoil?
Fill dirt is subsoil with little organic content — it compacts well and is used to build volume and change grade. Topsoil has organic matter and biological activity and is what plants grow in. Fill dirt is much cheaper and is the right material for anything below the root zone.
Can I get fill dirt for free?
Often, yes. Excavation contractors pay to dispose of spoil, so many will deliver it free or cheap to a nearby site with good access. The catch is that you take what you get — it may contain rock, clay or debris, and it is rarely screened. Fine for bulk fill, not for finish grading.