Free Landscape Calculator
Fill Dirt Calculator
Calculate exactly how many cubic yards and tons of fill dirt for grading, leveling, raising low spots and land filling. Instant results with US cost estimates.
👤 Who is this for: graders, contractors, DIY landscapers & pool backfill projects.
📊 Understanding Your Results
Cubic Yards — Standard unit for bulk fill dirt. A standard dump truck holds 10–14 cubic yards.
Cubic Feet — One cubic yard equals 27 cubic feet. Fill dirt is rarely sold in bags.
Tons — Fill dirt weighs approximately 1.2 tons per cubic yard when dry. For a sand project, the sand calculator (cubic yards and tons) gives you the same weight and volume figures.
How the Fill Dirt Calculator Works
Our fill dirt calculator determines how many cubic yards are needed to raise or level a specific area. Fill dirt is used for structural purposes — raising low areas, grading for drainage and filling excavated areas.
The Fill Dirt Formula
Step 2: Cubic Yards = Cubic Feet ÷ 27
Step 3: Tons = Cubic Yards × 1.2
Step 4: Add 20% for compaction — fill dirt compresses significantly
Example: 30×20 ft area at 12 inches = 600 cu ft = 22.2 cubic yards. Add 20% = order 27 yards ≈ 2 full dump truck loads.
Fill Dirt Depth Guide by Application
| Application | Typical Depth | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Low spot leveling | 3–12 inches | Top with 4″ topsoil after |
| Yard grade raise | 6–24 inches | Compact in 6-8″ lifts |
| Foundation backfill | Full depth | Compact every 6″ — critical |
| Driveway sub-base | 6–12 inches | Top with gravel then pave |
📝 Real Project Example
20×15 ft low spot, 6 inches of fill:
- Area: 300 sq ft
- Volume: 300 × 0.5 = 150 cu ft
- Cubic yards: 150 ÷ 27 = 5.56 → order 6.5 cubic yards (+15% compaction)
- Weight: 5.56 × 1.2 = ~6.7 tons — a single-axle dump truck handles it
- Cost check: 6.5 cubic yards at ~$20 = ~$130 + delivery
Fill dirt compacts — never skip the 15% allowance, and cap with 4–6 inches of topsoil wherever grass or plants will grow.
📚 Sources & Methodology
How we calculate. Step 1: volume in cubic feet = length × width × depth (all in feet). Step 2: cubic yards = cubic feet ÷ 27. Step 3: tons = cubic yards × 1.2 (dry fill dirt ≈ 2,400 lbs per cubic yard; wet or clay-heavy runs up to 1.5). We recommend adding 15% extra for compaction.
Cross-checked. Our 1.2 tons/yd³ figure matches published fill-dirt references; moisture is the big variable — the same load can weigh 20–50% more after heavy rain.
Sources:
- Hello Gravel — How to Convert Fill Dirt from Cubic Yards to Tons (1.2 tons per cubic yard)
- YardsCalculator — Fill Dirt Calculator (1.2 tons per cubic yard for average fill)
Last updated: October 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about fill dirt for grading and leveling projects.
Related Calculators
🌱 Topsoil Calculator ⛏️ Gravel Calculator 🏖️ Sand Calculator 🧱 Retaining Wall Calculator 🧱 Concrete Calculator💡 Fill Dirt Tips
Add 20% extra — fill dirt compacts significantly more than gravel.
Compact in 6–8 inch lifts — never dump and grade in one pass.
Top with 4–6 inches of topsoil before any planting.