Fill Dirt Calculator
Calculate how many cubic yards of fill dirt to order for grading or a pad, with a compaction allowance added, plus the weight in tons and the number of dump truck loads.
By CalcBuilt Editorial TeamUpdated September 9, 2026Formulas checked against manufacturer specs, see how we calculate.
Results
- Fill dirt to order
- 25.56 cu yd
- Loose volume including 15% for compaction
- Compacted volume in place
- 22.22 cu yd
- 600 sq ft filled 12 in deep
- Weight
- 30.7 tons
- At about 1.2 tons per cubic yard
- Truckloads
- 3 loads
- 10 cu yd per truck; the last load may be partial
Fill Dirt formula
Compacted cubic yards = Length (ft) x Width (ft) x Depth (in) / 12 / 27
Loose cubic yards to order = Compacted cubic yards x (1 + compaction %)
Tons = Loose cubic yards x 1.2
Truckloads = Loose cubic yards / truck capacity, rounded upWorked example
Raising a 40 x 25 ft side yard by 18 in with a 20% allowance and 14 yard trucks: 40 x 25 = 1,000 sq ft. 1,000 x (18 / 12) = 1,500 cubic feet, or 1,500 / 27 = 55.56 cubic yards compacted. Multiply by 1.2 for the loose volume: 55.56 x 1.2 = 66.67 cubic yards to order.
Weight is 66.67 x 1.2 = 80 tons. At 14 cubic yards per truck, 66.67 / 14 = 4.76, so 5 truckloads. At $15 per yard the material is $1,000 before delivery.
Quick reference
| Depth | Compacted cu yd | Order cu yd | Tons | 10 yd loads |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 in | 18.5 | 21.3 | 25.6 | 3 |
| 12 in | 37.0 | 42.6 | 51.1 | 5 |
| 18 in | 55.6 | 63.9 | 76.7 | 7 |
| 24 in | 74.1 | 85.2 | 102.2 | 9 |
| 36 in | 111.1 | 127.8 | 153.3 | 13 |
Fill dirt, topsoil and screened fill
Fill dirt is subsoil dug from below the topsoil layer. It has little organic matter, which is exactly what you want under a slab, a driveway or a raised grade: it does not decompose and keeps settling the way topsoil does. It is the cheapest material a landscape yard sells and is often free from nearby excavation jobs if you can take a whole truck.
Unscreened fill can include rocks, roots and chunks of clay. Screened fill has been run through a screen to remove anything over an inch or two and costs a few dollars more per yard; it is worth it wherever you will need to rake and finish the surface. If you are going to grow grass, cap the fill with 4 to 6 in of topsoil, since fill dirt itself is poor soil for roots.
Placing and compacting fill
Strip sod and any soft organic soil first so the fill sits on firm ground, then spread it in lifts no more than 6 to 8 in thick. Compact each lift with a plate compactor or, for larger areas, a rented ride-on roller before spreading the next. Slightly damp fill compacts far better than dry or saturated fill.
Keep the finished grade sloping away from the foundation and do not fill against siding or above the top of the foundation wall. Fill that supports a structure, a pool or a retaining wall usually has to meet a specified compaction, and that is a job for an engineer and a compaction test.
Key facts
- Fill dirt weighs about 2,000 to 2,400 lb per cubic yard, or roughly 1.2 tons, depending on moisture and clay content.
- Loose fill loses 10 to 20 percent of its volume when compacted, so a 10 yard load ends up at 8 to 9 yards in place.
- Fill should be placed and compacted in lifts of 6 to 8 in; a single deep lift never compacts fully and keeps settling for years.
- A single-axle dump truck carries about 10 cubic yards, a tandem 12 to 14, and a tri-axle 16 to 20.
- Grade fill so the finished surface slopes away from the house at least 6 in over the first 10 ft, per the IRC.
Frequently asked questions
How many yards of fill dirt do I need?
Multiply length by width by depth in feet, divide by 27, and add 10 to 20 percent for compaction. A 30 x 20 ft area 12 in deep is 22.22 yards in place, so order about 25.56 yards.
How much does a yard of fill dirt weigh?
About 2,400 lb, or 1.2 tons, though wet clay fill can weigh close to 3,000 lb per yard.
How many yards of fill dirt fit in a dump truck?
About 10 yards in a single-axle truck, 12 to 14 in a tandem and up to 20 in a tri-axle. Ask the supplier which truck they will send so you can plan the number of loads.
What is the difference between fill dirt and topsoil?
Fill dirt is subsoil with almost no organic matter, used to raise grade or fill holes because it stays put. Topsoil is the nutrient-rich top layer used for lawns and gardens and it settles as the organic matter breaks down.
Sources and references
Next steps for this project
The usual order for a landscaping & outdoor project. See all landscaping & outdoor calculators.
Results are estimates based on standard formulas and typical product specifications. Confirm quantities with your supplier and local code before ordering.