Estimate fill dirt for grading, backfilling and raising low areas — in cubic yards, cubic feet and tons.
How this calculator arrives at its answer
Fill dirt is the cheap, subsoil material used to build up ground before you add topsoil. Enter your area and depth and this dirt calculator returns cubic yards and an approximate tonnage.
Because fill projects are often large, the calculator focuses on bulk cubic yards and tons rather than bags.
Using the calculator
- Enter the area to fill and choose rectangular or round.
- Set how deep you need to build up the ground.
- Read cubic yards and tons to order bulk fill.
Formula reference
volume (ft³) = length × width × depth
cubic yards = ft³ ÷ 27
tons ≈ cubic yards × 1.25 (≈2,500 lb per yd³)
The default scenario, worked through
As an example, with a length of 10, width of 10, diameter of 10, the calculator returns a material needed of 1.85. Underneath, Cubic yards comes out at 1.85 and Cubic feet at 50. Change any field and every figure updates as you type.
FAQ
What is fill dirt?
Subsoil with little organic matter. It’s used to raise or level ground; you then cap it with topsoil where you want plants or grass.
How much does a yard of dirt weigh?
Around 1.2–1.3 US tons dry, more when wet or full of clay.
Should I compact fill dirt?
Yes — compact it in layers for anything structural, and order roughly 10–20% extra to allow for settling.