Fill Dirt Calculator — Loose Yards and Tons
Convert the desired finished fill prism into loose delivered soil, accounting separately for settlement and handling waste.
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View all saved project estimatesWhat does the fill dirt calculator calculate?
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.
Loose fill dirt formula
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.
How to measure for an accurate estimate
- 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.
Shallow backyard grade correction
A 30 ft by 20 ft zone averages 8 in finished fill, with 20% settlement, 5% waste, and 1 ton/yd³.
Finished volume is 14.81 yd³; the loose order is about 18.67 yd³, estimated at 18.67 tons.Before you purchase material
- 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.
Common questions
How much does a cubic yard of fill dirt weigh?
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.
What is the difference between fill dirt and topsoil?
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.
How much does fill dirt settle?
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.
Can I use fill dirt to fix yard drainage?
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 and reference standards
- USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service — Soil Health Fact SheetsCurrent federal guidance on soil function, structure, health, and management.
- Federal Highway Administration — Gravel Roads Construction and Maintenance GuideFederal guidance on aggregate selection, placement, moisture, and compaction.
- National Institute of Standards and Technology — SI Units: VolumeFederal reference for volume units and unit relationships.
See every citation and the calculators that use it in the calculator source index.
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