Fill Dirt Calculator: Cubic Yards, Tons & Loads
Estimate how much fill dirt to order to raise a low spot, level a yard or build up a pad. Results are in cubic yards, tons and truckloads, with extra for compaction.
Filling a 20 × 30 ft area 6 inches deep takes 11.1 cubic yards of compacted fill. Fill settles when it is compacted, so add roughly 15%: order about 12.8 cubic yards, which is around 16 tons. Formula: area × depth (inches ÷ 12) ÷ 27, then add compaction.
Your numbers
Result
How much fill dirt do you need?
Multiply the area by the depth to get volume, then convert to cubic yards. Because loose fill settles when it is compacted, order a little more than the finished volume.
order = cubic yards × (1 + compaction allowance)
Example: a 20 × 30 ft area filled 6 inches deep is 600 × 0.5 ÷ 27 = 11.1 cubic yards. With a 15% compaction allowance you order 12.8 cubic yards, roughly 16 tons at about 1.25 tons per yard.
Fill dirt needed per 1,000 square feet
| Depth | Cubic yards | With 15% compaction |
|---|---|---|
| 2 in | 6.2 | 7.1 |
| 4 in | 12.3 | 14.2 |
| 6 in | 18.5 | 21.3 |
| 8 in | 24.7 | 28.4 |
| 12 in | 37.0 | 42.6 |
Fill dirt, topsoil and compost are different
Fill dirt is subsoil used to raise grade or fill holes. It is not meant for growing plants. If you are building up a lawn or garden, fill to the right grade first and finish with topsoil on top. University extension guidance for new lawns recommends planting into a layer of good soil rather than bare subsoil.
Tips for ordering
- Measure the average depth. Low spots are rarely a uniform thickness, so take several measurements and average them.
- Order by the cubic yard where possible. If the supplier sells by the ton, convert with the yards to tons calculator.
- Check access: a loaded tandem dump truck is heavy, and some driveways and lawns cannot take it.
- For a trench or hole you are filling after digging, see the excavation calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How much fill dirt do I need?
Multiply area in square feet by depth in feet, divide by 27 to get cubic yards, then add roughly 10–20% for compaction. A 20 × 30 ft area at 6 inches deep needs about 12.8 cubic yards with 15% added.
How many tons is a cubic yard of fill dirt?
Roughly 1.1 to 1.5 tons, depending on moisture and soil type. The calculator uses 1.25 as a typical value.
How many cubic yards fit in a dump truck?
A tandem-axle dump truck is commonly about 10 cubic yards, but it depends on the truck and on the weight limit for dense or wet material.
Can I plant grass on fill dirt?
It is better to finish with a layer of topsoil, because fill dirt is subsoil and is often low in organic matter.
Should I add extra for compaction?
Yes. Loose fill settles as it is compacted, so ordering 10–20% more than the finished volume is common. Your contractor can recommend a figure for your soil.
Sources and further reading
- NIST Special Publication 811: conversion factors — National Institute of Standards and Technology
- Planting a new lawn — University of Illinois Extension
These references support the general guidance on this page. The calculator applies the standard formulas shown above to the numbers you enter.
Embed this calculator on your website
Free to use on any site. Paste this code where you want the calculator to appear. More about embedding.
Related calculators
. Estimates only. Always confirm quantities with your supplier or a qualified contractor before ordering, and add extra for waste and site conditions.