Fill Dirt Calculator (Cubic Yards, Tons and Truckloads)

Enter the area and how deep it needs to be filled. For an uneven low spot, enter the deepest and shallowest depths and the calculator uses the average.

How it works

Area = length × width (or π × (diameter ÷ 2)²). Average depth = (deepest + shallowest) ÷ 2 when a shallowest depth is entered. Volume = area × average depth (in) ÷ 12 × number of areas, in cu ft; ÷ 27 for cubic yards. To order = volume ÷ (1 − allowance), the way FHWA defines shrink. Tons = cubic yards to order × in-place soil weight ÷ 2,000. Truck volume = cubic yards to order × (1 + bulking); loads = truck volume ÷ truck capacity, rounded up.

Worked examples

Low spot in a yard, 10 × 8 ft, 4 in deep in the middle and 2 in at the edge: average 3 in. 80 sq ft × 3 ÷ 12 = 20 cu ft = 0.74 cu yd. With a 20% allowance, 0.74 ÷ 0.8 = 0.93 cu yd to order, about 1.4 tons of dry loam (3,030 lb/yd³).
Filling an old in-ground pool, 16 × 32 ft, 3 ft deep at one end and 6 ft at the other (36 and 72 in): average 54 in. 512 sq ft × 4.5 ft = 2,304 cu ft = 85.3 cu yd; ÷ 0.8 = 106.7 cu yd to order, about 162 tons. At 25% bulking that is 133 cu yd loose, or 14 loads of 10 cu yd. Pool removal and backfill rules vary, so check local codes.
Three round holes from removed shrubs, each 4 ft across and 36 in deep: π × 2² × 3 = 37.7 cu ft each, 113.1 cu ft total = 4.19 cu yd before any allowance.

How to measure

Mark the area to fill and measure its length and width (or the diameter of a round hole).
Stretch a string line or a straight board across the low spot at the finished height, and measure down to the ground at the deepest point and at the edge.
For a long or irregular dip, split it into smaller rectangles, each with its own depth.
Leave room for topsoil: if the top 4 in will be topsoil, subtract 4 in from the fill depth.
Before digging any holes or trenches, call 811 so buried utilities can be marked.

Common mistakes

Ordering only the hole volume. Loose fill settles as it compacts; add an allowance.
Using fill dirt as the top layer of a lawn or bed. It is low in organic matter; finish with topsoil.
Burying wood, roots or sod in the fill. Organic material breaks down later and leaves a dip.
Dumping deep fill all at once. Place it in thin layers and compact each one.
Mixing up loose truck yards and in-place yards. A truckload holds fewer in-place yards than its size suggests.
Treating this as an engineered fill. Fill under structures, slabs or driveways needs proper compaction; check local codes.

Assumptions

Compaction and settling allowance default 20%: a JobsiteCalc default inside the 10-25% shrink that FHWA gives for moderate soil. FHWA says light soil can shrink 20-40% or more, and illustrates 1 cu yd in the ground taking about 1.25 cu yd in a truck and only 0.65-0.85 cu yd once compacted. How much your fill settles depends on the soil and how well it is compacted.
Soil weights are FHWA's in-place (in-situ) estimating densities from Exhibit 5.1 A, about ±5%; loose soil in a truck weighs less per yard (dry loam 2,070 lb/yd³ loose). The tons are the weight of the soil you need, whichever way it is measured. Moisture changes weight a lot; use your supplier's figure if they have one.
Bulking in the truck default 25% follows FHWA's 1 cu yd → 1.25 cu yd illustration. Truck capacity default 10 cu yd is a JobsiteCalc default, not a sourced figure; ask your hauler what their trucks carry and their weight limits.
The price is your own estimate, not a quote. Delivery, spreading, compaction equipment and topsoil for the top layer are not included.
Fill dirt vs topsoil: topsoil is the dark surface layer, richer in organic matter, where most roots grow; the subsoil below usually has more clay and less organic matter (NC State Extension). Fill dirt is usually subsoil used to raise grade. For a lawn or garden, finish the top few inches with topsoil; see the topsoil calculator.
This is a quantity estimate only, not an engineered fill. Fill under a slab, footing, driveway or structure, and fill near foundations or drainage, may need compaction to a specification and a permit. Check local codes and call 811 before digging.

Frequently asked questions

How much fill dirt do I need?

Multiply length × width × depth in feet and divide by 27 for cubic yards, then add an allowance for compaction and settling. A 10 × 8 ft low spot that averages 3 in deep is 20 cu ft (0.74 cu yd); with a 20% allowance, order about 0.93 cu yd.

How much does a cubic yard of fill dirt weigh?

It depends on the soil and moisture. FHWA's estimating table lists dry loam at about 3,030 lb per cubic yard in place and 2,070 lb loose, damp loam at 3,370 lb in place, and topsoil at 2,430 lb in place.

How much does fill dirt settle?

FHWA gives 10-25% shrink for moderate soil and 20-40% or more for light soil, depending on the soil and the compaction. Placing fill in thin layers and compacting each one reduces later settling.

What is the difference between fill dirt and topsoil?

Topsoil is the surface layer with more organic matter, best for growing plants; fill dirt is usually subsoil, with more clay and less organic matter, used to raise or level ground. Use topsoil for the top few inches of a lawn or bed.

Related calculators

Topsoil calculator – for the growing layer on top of the fill
Gravel calculator – for a stone base or drainage layer
Cubic yards calculator – for other shapes and volume conversions
Mulch calculator – for beds once the grade is set
Sod and grass seed calculator – to finish the lawn

Sources

Formulas and reference values are from these sources. Page content last updated 2026-10-19.