{"id":"fill-dirt-calculator","name":"Fill Dirt Calculator — Loose Yards and Tons","shortName":"Fill Dirt Calculator","canonicalUrl":"https://calcurhome.com/calculators/fill-dirt-calculator","catalogUrl":"https://calcurhome.com/api/calculators","category":{"id":"landscaping","name":"Landscaping","url":"https://calcurhome.com/calculators/category/landscaping"},"language":"en-US","audience":"US homeowners, DIYers and home-project planners","primaryKeyword":"fill dirt calculator","secondaryKeywords":["fill dirt yard calculator","fill dirt tons calculator","how much fill dirt do I need","dirt fill volume calculator"],"description":"Estimate loose fill dirt cubic yards and tons from finished dimensions, settlement allowance, waste and supplier density for grading or backfill.","directAnswer":"Calculate finished fill from length, width, and average compacted depth, then increase it for settlement and construction waste. Finally multiply loose yards by supplier density for estimated tons. Fill requirements should come from verified grades; this quantity tool does not address bearing, compaction testing, drainage, or contamination.","inputs":[{"key":"length","label":"Fill area length","unit":"ft","defaultValue":30,"min":0.1,"step":0.1},{"key":"width","label":"Fill area width","unit":"ft","defaultValue":20,"min":0.1,"step":0.1},{"key":"depth","label":"Average finished depth","unit":"in","defaultValue":8,"min":0.25,"step":0.25},{"key":"settlement","label":"Settlement allowance","unit":"%","defaultValue":20,"min":0,"max":60,"step":1},{"key":"density","label":"Loose density","unit":"tons/yd³","defaultValue":1,"min":0.1,"step":0.05},{"key":"waste","label":"Handling waste","unit":"%","defaultValue":5,"min":0,"max":30,"step":1}],"formula":{"title":"Loose fill dirt formula","expression":"Loose yd³ = length × width × average finished depth ÷ 12 ÷ 27 × settlement factor × waste factor; tons = loose yd³ × density.","explanation":"The geometric volume is the desired finished fill. Settlement estimates loose-to-finished shrinkage, waste covers handling loss, and density provides a preliminary transport weight."},"measurementGuide":["Establish existing and proposed grades at several points before estimating average fill depth.","Divide sloped or variable fills into smaller zones rather than using one maximum depth.","Exclude foundations, drainage structures, utilities, or retained voids from the simple soil prism.","Confirm loose density and expected shrinkage with the supplier or project earthwork data."],"buyingTips":["Specify clean or engineered fill requirements; do not accept unknown material based only on price.","Verify source, soil classification, debris limits, and environmental documentation as appropriate.","Plan lift placement, moisture conditioning, compaction equipment, and testing before delivery.","Confirm truck access and legal load size, then schedule deliveries at a controllable rate."],"workedExample":{"title":"Shallow backyard grade correction","scenario":"A 30 ft by 20 ft zone averages 8 in finished fill, with 20% settlement, 5% waste, and 1 ton/yd³.","result":"Finished volume is 14.81 yd³; the loose order is about 18.67 yd³, estimated at 18.67 tons."},"commonQuestions":[{"question":"How much does a cubic yard of fill dirt weigh?","answer":"The calculator defaults to one ton per loose cubic yard, but real weight varies with soil type, rock content, organic matter, and moisture. Use supplier scale records or test data when payload, structural loading, or cost is sensitive to weight."},{"question":"What is the difference between fill dirt and topsoil?","answer":"Fill is selected mainly to occupy volume and meet grading or engineering requirements, while topsoil is intended to support plants near the surface. Product labels vary, so specifications, classification, cleanliness, and test results matter more than the seller’s name."},{"question":"How much does fill dirt settle?","answer":"Settlement is project-specific. Soil type, initial looseness, moisture, lift thickness, compaction effort, and underlying ground all affect shrinkage. Twenty percent is a rough planning input, not a design value. Structural fill should follow specified placement and density testing."},{"question":"Can I use fill dirt to fix yard drainage?","answer":"Regrading may help, but adding soil without a drainage plan can redirect water toward buildings or neighbors. Establish legal discharge, required slopes, utilities, and floor or foundation clearances first. Local permits or professional grading design may be necessary."}],"sources":[{"name":"USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service — Soil Health Fact Sheets","url":"https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/resources/guides-and-instructions/soil-health-fact-sheets","note":"Current federal guidance on soil function, structure, health, and management."},{"name":"Federal Highway Administration — Gravel Roads Construction and Maintenance Guide","url":"https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/construction/pubs/ots15002.pdf","note":"Federal guidance on aggregate selection, placement, moisture, and compaction."},{"name":"National Institute of Standards and Technology — SI Units: Volume","url":"https://www.nist.gov/pml/owm/si-units-volume","note":"Federal reference for volume units and unit relationships."}],"defaultCalculation":{"inputs":{"length":30,"width":20,"depth":8,"settlement":20,"density":1,"waste":5},"result":{"value":"18.67","unit":"loose cubic yards","label":"Estimated fill dirt delivery","lines":[{"label":"Finished fill volume","value":"14.81 yd³"},{"label":"Estimated weight","value":"18.67 tons"},{"label":"Fill footprint","value":"600 sq ft"}],"summary":"The finished prism is 14.81 yd³; plan on 18.67 loose yd³ delivered.","note":"Planning quantity only. Engineered fill, structural support, slopes, utilities, floodplains, permits, drainage, and environmental quality require qualified local review."}},"reviewedOn":"2026-07-23","disclaimer":"Planning estimate only. Verify product coverage, supplier rounding, local codes and structural requirements before purchase or construction."}