How to calculate how much fill dirt you need
- Multiply length × width in feet to get square feet.
- Multiply by the depth in inches ÷ 12 to get cubic feet.
- Add your compaction allowance: × 1.15 for 15 percent.
- Divide by 27 for cubic yards, then multiply by about 1.1 for tons.
Worked example. Raising a 20 × 15 ft area by 6 inches: 300 ft² × 0.5 ft = 150 ft³. Add 15 percent: 172.5 ft³. That is 6.39 yd³, or about 7 tons.
How much does a yard of fill dirt weigh?
Dry fill dirt usually weighs 1.0 to 1.3 tons per cubic yard, about 2,000 to 2,600 lb. Wet soil and clay weigh more. Flip it around and one ton is about 0.8 to 1 cubic yard. Ask your supplier for their figure and enter it above.
How many yards are in a dump truck?
| Truck | Typical load |
|---|---|
| Single-axle dump truck | 5–6 yd³ |
| Tandem-axle dump truck | 10–13 yd³ |
Weight limits often cap a load before the bed is full, so confirm the size with whoever delivers.
Why add extra for compaction?
Dirt arrives loose and settles once it is spread and compacted, so a level you fill to today will sit lower later. Order 10 to 25 percent extra, more for loose sandy loads, and compact in layers of 4 to 6 inches.
Fill dirt or topsoil?
Fill dirt is subsoil with little organic matter. It packs firmly, so it suits raising grades, filling holes and backfilling walls. Plants need topsoil on top: use the dirt calculator for the top 4 to 6 inches.
Questions about fill dirt quantities
How many yards of dirt are in a ton?
At 1.1 tons per yard, one ton is about 0.9 cubic yards. Across typical fill weights it ranges from about 0.8 to 1 cubic yard.
How much fill dirt do I need to raise a 10 × 10 area one foot?
100 ft³, or 115 ft³ with 15 percent for compaction: about 4.3 cubic yards.
How much fill dirt for a circular hole?
Choose Circle and enter the diameter. A 6 ft wide hole, 2 ft deep, holds 56.5 ft³, about 2.4 yd³ with compaction.
Sources
Last reviewed November 2, 2026. Found a wrong figure? Tell us.