Soil, fill, and garden projects
Dirt Calculator - Fill Dirt and Topsoil
Estimate dirt, topsoil, or garden soil volume, weight, coverage area, pickup loads, and recommended overage for landscaping or fill work.
Calculate Dirt or Soil
Fill Dirt vs Topsoil vs Garden Soil
| Type | Best use | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fill Dirt | Backfill and grading | Low organic content, better for shape and support. |
| Topsoil | Lawns and planting surface | Screened soil for the top few inches. |
| Garden Soil | Raised beds and vegetables | Usually blended with compost or amendments. |
How Much Dirt Do I Need
For raised beds, measure the inside length and width, then use the planned soil depth. For lawn levelling, use the area being dressed and the average depth, often 1 to 2 inches. For backfill, split irregular spaces into smaller rectangles and add the totals.
Dirt Weight by Type
| Material | Approx. lbs per cubic yard |
|---|---|
| Fill dirt | 2,200 |
| Topsoil | 2,400 |
| Garden soil | 2,400 |
Worked Examples
A 4x8 raised bed filled 12 inches deep needs 4 x 8 x 1 / 27 = 1.19 cubic yards. A 500 square foot lawn area levelled 1 inch deep needs 500 x 0.083 / 27 = 1.54 cubic yards before overage.
Quick answer: Multiply length x width x depth in feet and divide by 27. A 10 x 10 ft area filled 6 inches deep needs (10 x 10 x 0.5) / 27 = 1.85 cubic yards. Add 10 to 15 percent extra for compaction, since fill dirt settles after placement.
Compaction: Why Dirt Needs Extra
Loose fill dirt compacts 10 to 30 percent once placed, watered, and tamped. A hole that measures 5 cubic yards often needs 5.5 to 6.5 cubic yards of delivered dirt to finish level. For grading and backfill, order 10 to 15 percent over the measured volume; for deep fills compacted in lifts, plan for 20 percent or more and confirm with your contractor.
Dirt Volumes for Common Projects
| Project | Dimensions | Cubic yards | Approx. tons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raised bed | 4 ft x 8 ft x 1 ft | 1.19 | 1.4 |
| Garden bed topdress | 200 sq ft x 3 in | 1.85 | 2.2 |
| Low spot fill | 15 ft x 15 ft x 6 in | 4.17 | 5.0 |
| Backfill trench | 40 ft x 2 ft x 3 ft | 8.89 | 10.7 |
| Grading 500 sq ft | 500 sq ft x 4 in | 6.17 | 7.4 |
Ton figures use 2,400 lbs per yard for topsoil/garden soil and 2,200 for fill dirt. All values are before compaction overage.
Buying Dirt: What to Ask the Supplier
Screened or unscreened? Screened soil has rocks and debris removed - worth it for lawns and beds, overkill for deep fill.
Fill dirt or topsoil? Fill dirt is cheaper subsoil for raising grade; topsoil has the organic matter plants need. Do not plant directly in fill dirt.
Delivery minimums. Many yards require 1 to 3 cubic yard minimums, and delivery fees often apply under 5 to 10 yards.
Weight limits. A cubic yard of wet topsoil can exceed 2,400 lbs, so confirm your driveway and truck access can handle the load.
FAQ
Measure length and width in feet, multiply by depth in feet, then divide by 27. Use inches for depth if you are filling a shallow area.
No. Fill dirt is usually used for grading and backfill, while topsoil is screened for lawns and planting areas.
Dry fill dirt is often about 2,200 lbs per cubic yard. Topsoil is commonly about 2,400 lbs per cubic yard.
A small pickup may safely carry less than 1 cubic yard. This calculator uses 2 cubic yards as a planning estimate for a larger pickup or light trailer.
New grass usually needs 4 to 6 inches of good topsoil. Thin lawn repairs may need 1 to 2 inches.
Yes, order about 10 percent extra when filling uneven areas. Dirt settles and compacts after placement.
Garden soil is best for planting beds, not structural fill. Use fill dirt for grading and topsoil or garden soil for the top layer.
Small dump trucks may carry 5 to 6 cubic yards. Larger trucks may carry 10 to 20 cubic yards depending on weight limits.
Multiply bed length by width by soil depth in feet, then divide by 27. A 4x8 bed filled 12 inches deep needs about 1.19 cubic yards.
Yes. Moisture can add significant weight, so confirm hauling limits and supplier weights before transport.
Measure the hole in feet (length x width x depth), multiply, and divide by 27. Then add 10 to 20 percent extra because fill dirt compacts and settles after placement.
Fill dirt weighs about 2,200 lbs per cubic yard, or 1.10 tons. Topsoil is heavier at about 2,400 lbs, or 1.20 tons per yard.
Fill dirt often runs $15 to $40 per cubic yard plus delivery, while screened topsoil is usually more. Prices vary widely by region and supplier, so get local quotes.
Use fill dirt to raise grade and topsoil as the top 4 to 6 inches where grass or plants will grow. Topsoil has the nutrients and structure plants need; fill dirt does not.
Most new lawns do well with 4 to 6 inches of quality topsoil over the subgrade. Deeper is better for root growth but adds cost quickly.
Yes. Loose dirt compacts 10 to 30 percent when placed, watered, and tamped. Order extra and expect to top off low spots after the first heavy rain.