Quick answer
A fill dirt calculator estimates cubic yards as length × width × depth (ft) ÷ 27. Add 10–15% for compaction. Example: 20 × 10 ft at 6 inches = 3.70 cu yd → order ~4.2 cu yd. Run numbers in the free dirt calculator (choose fill-dirt density).
What a fill dirt calculator measures
Fill dirt calculator searches usually mean: “How many yards of fill dirt do I need to raise, level, or backfill this area?” The tool returns volume (cubic feet / cubic yards), optional tons, and cost — not plant soil recommendations.
Use fill dirt for grading, leveling low spots, trench backfill, and structural pads. Use topsoil for lawns, gardens, and raised beds. See how much dirt do I need for planting soil.
Fill dirt calculator formula
Cubic yards = (Length × Width × Depth in feet) ÷ 27
Order volume = Cubic yards × (1 + Compaction %)
Shortcut from square feet: cu yd = sq ft × depth (inches) ÷ 324. Convert with square feet to cubic yards.
Step-by-step fill dirt estimate
- Measure length and width of the fill area in feet.
- Decide finished depth (often 4–12 inches for grading).
- Calculate cubic yards with the formula above.
- Add 10–15% for compaction (more for dense pads).
- Multiply by ~1.1–1.25 tons/cu yd if priced by the ton.
- Multiply by $/cu yd and add delivery for a cost estimate.
Worked example — calculate dirt fill: raise a 30 × 20 yard area by 4 inches.
- Volume: 30 × 20 × (4 ÷ 12) = 200 cu ft
- Cubic yards: 200 ÷ 27 = 7.41 cu yd
- With 15% compaction: 8.52 cu yd to order
- Weight at 1.25 tons/cu yd: ~10.7 US tons
- Cost at $12/cu yd + $100 delivery ≈ $202
Fill dirt calculator with compaction
Compaction shrinks loose fill after placement and tamping. Order extra so the finished grade is not low.
| Project | Typical extra | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| General grading / leveling | 10–15% | Most yard fills |
| Trench / foundation backfill | 15% | Place in lifts |
| Dirt pad under shed | 20–25% | Structural compaction |
| Export / dirt removal (swell) | +10–20% | Loose excavated volume grows |
For digging and haul-off instead of import, reverse the workflow: calculate excavation volume, add swell, then get quotes — covered in dirt removal calculator content on the tool page.
Backfill dirt calculator
Backfill dirt calculator math subtracts the structure from the hole:
Backfill cu yd = (Excavation − Structure volume) ÷ 27
Example: 40-ft trench, 2 ft wide × 3 ft deep, with an 8-inch pipe roughly 0.67 ft diameter → estimate trench volume then subtract pipe volume, divide by 27, add 15%. Prefer fill dirt over topsoil for backfill.
Dirt pad calculator
A dirt pad calculator estimate for a shed or outbuilding usually assumes 4–6 inches of compacted fill dirt (not topsoil).
| Pad size | Depth | Base cu yd | Order (~25% extra) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 × 10 | 4 in | 0.99 | 1.2 |
| 10 × 12 | 6 in | 2.22 | 2.8 |
| 12 × 16 | 6 in | 3.56 | 4.4 |
Fill dirt cost calculator
| Item | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fill dirt (bulk) | $5–$15 / cu yd | Region and quality vary |
| Delivery | $50–$150 | Distance / minimum load |
| Dirt removal | $20–$60 / cu yd | Hauling + disposal |
| Screened fill | Higher end | Fewer rocks / debris |
Convert supplier ton quotes with tons to cubic yards or cubic yards to tons.
Fill dirt vs garden / black dirt
Fill dirt is the wrong material for a garden bed dirt calculator project. Black dirt / topsoil belongs in planting areas; fill belongs under structures and paved areas. If you need planting volume, use the dirt calculator with topsoil density and read how to calculate yards of dirt.